GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

At the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Family Field Days earlier this month, a group of YMCA instructors participated in various fitness challenges to raise YMCA scholarship funds. Some did push-ups or burpees. Others did tire flips. Thanks to pledged donations from family and friends, the group raised more than $3,200!

Huge thanks to our instructors, pictured above from left to right, Kristen Derengowski, Marenda Eison, Courtney Orlando, Melissa Vidito, Yesenia Barajas and (not pictured) Steve Toliver. Because of their efforts, we can ensure YMCA facilities and services are accessible to all.

If you’d like to make a contribution to the Y’s Annual Campaign, click here.

You can prepare this light and healthy cucumber sandwich snack in less than 5 minutes. Give it a try!

What You Need:

• Cucumber slices
• Slices of cheddar cheese cut into 1-inch pieces
• Slices of turkey or ham—your preference!
• Bread, sliced into 1-inch circles
• Tomato slices
• Toothpicks (optional)

Instructions
Assemble the cucumber sandwich by stacking a bread slice, tomato slice, piece of cheddar cheese and slice of deli meat between two cucumber slices. Once the sandwich has been assembled, you can place a toothpick through the center of the sandwich.

Source: Super Healthy Kids

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“Healthy at Home” is a series of healthy recipes curated by Morris Hospital Clinical Dietitian Liz Fischer.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA held its annual Heritage Club Dinner on Friday, August 4 at the home of benefactors Ed and Gloria Dollinger of Joliet. More than 60 of the YMCA’s closest friends attended this special invitation-only gathering.

Invitees included contributors to the YMCA’s general endowment fund as well as those who have established a named endowment fund. It is often the case that these funds bear the donor’s name or that of a loved one. Heritage Club membership is also granted to those who have included a gift of any size for the YMCA in their will or estate plans.

The Joy of Giving

Frank Margaron, retired Joliet businessman and longtime member of the Smith Family YMCA, addressed the crowd about his impetus for creating an endowment fund in the name of his late wife, Twilla. Twilla passed in the summer of 2010, but the endowment fund bearing her name continues her legacy of love, as its annual earnings help fund swim lessons for underserved children in Will County. Frank was honored at the dinner with a photo collage of grateful children who learned to swim at the YMCA this past summer because of Twilla’s fund.

Two Lives Changed: “No one could help us. No one would help us.”

Michele Grocesly recalled the situation for her and her now fourteen-year-old son Don when they came to the YMCA in 2014. They had fallen on hard times and were living in their car. Through the scholarship program—which ensures no one is turned away due to the inability to pay—the Y offered them a place to shower, stay warm and feel a sense of normalcy during an awful situation. YMCA staff also connected her with resources, leading to temporary housing at Morningstar Mission while she pursued culinary studies full-time at Joliet Junior College.

Michele shared her family’s story at the 2017 YMCA Giving Gala, where she made connections with staff at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Later, when a sous chef position soon opened there, she applied and was hired. The income allowed her to afford a small apartment in Joliet where she and Don are now proud to reside.

Michele was a special guest at the Heritage Club Dinner where she thanked supporters for caring about her family through their darkest time. Unexpectedly, she reconnected there with former middle school teacher, Kathy Macris, now retired and an active volunteer with the YMCA. There were no dry eyes as Michele thanked Kathy for seeing something special in her, lighting a spark and drive that has carried her through her trials.

An Invitation for Impact

Endowment and estate gifts support the YMCA and the communities it serves by fund life-changing programs for years to come. To establish a named fund, a pledge of $10,000 or more may be spread over three years. Gifts to the general Y endowment are also welcome, with investments of $2,500+ recommended for the Heritage Club. Outright gifts, pledges and stock contributions are accepted.

For additional information, please contact Senior Development Director Julie Wilkinson at (815) 782-0825 or [email protected].

Whip up these simple-t0-make fruit and yogurt wraps for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

Ingredients

• ¼ Cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 Container (6oz) Yoplait® Original yogurt (any flavor)
• 4 Flour tortillas (6-inch)
• 4 Small strawberries, sliced
• 1 Small banana, sliced

Instructions

1. Spread 1 tablespoon peanut butter and 1 tablespoon yogurt evenly over each tortilla. Top with strawberry and banana slices.
2. Roll up tortillas. Secure with toothpicks. Serve remaining yogurt on the side for dipping.

Source: www.bettycrocker.com

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“Healthy at Home” is a series of healthy recipes curated by Morris Hospital Clinical Dietitian Liz Fischer.

The Morris Community YMCA and Grundy Area Vocational Center (GAVC) teamed up this summer to offer three new specialty camps for youth in grades 5 through 9. Taught by GAVC instructors, each camp covered different topics, ranging from culinary arts to building trades to computer skills.

Keep reading to learn more about each of them!

Kids in the Kitchen Camp

Over the course of five days, our junior chefs worked their way around the kitchen, learning basic culinary skills and techniques. First, they focused on preparing healthy items such as sandwich wraps, fruit kabobs and granola. For their final lesson, they let their creativity shine while baking cupcakes topped with colorful fondant icing and frosting.

Automotive and Building Trades Camp

This combo camp included valuable lessons related to automotive and building trades. After getting their hands dirty learning the ins and outs of auto repair, campers were taught how to construct their very own wooden toolboxes.

Computer Maintenance and Graphic Skills Camp

When campers weren’t learning how to build a computer, they were learning how to use programs related to photo editing, graphic design and video editing. They also got a first-hand look at how to design and screen a T-shirt.

Stay active this summer by working your way through the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s new lineup of specialty fitness classes!

Summer Body Boot Camp
With Personal Trainer and Former Figure Competitor Marenda Eison // Mondays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Whether you want to get into shape or stay in shape for the summer, this new boot camp can help you reach your goal! During class, you’ll learn the latest exercises that help you burn calories quickly. Each week, participants will also receive a bonus DIY workout to complete on their own.

Register Now

Hoop Fitness
With Certified Hoop Instructor and Personal Trainer Melissa Vidito // Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Don’t call it a comeback! Hula hooping never went out of style. Hoop Fitness utilizes hula hoops that are designed to strengthen your core and increase flexibility and overall strength.

Register Now

Lunchtime Express
With Personal Trainer Suzuka Hetterich // Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

For a midday pick-me-up, join us for Lunchtime Express, a quick workout that features various exercise styles and formats.

Register Now

Small Group Yoga & Strength
With Personal Trainer and Yoga Instructor Karen St. Charles // Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

This combo class will help you build a stronger mind, body and spirit by incorporating elements of yoga and TRX.

Register Now

Women Who Lift
With Strength Coach Esmerelda Ramirez // Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Explore various lifting styles under the guidance of Strength Coach Esmerelda Ramirez. All fitness levels are welcome! Each week, participants will also receive a bonus DIY workout to complete on their own.

Register Now

Progressive Cycle
With the YMCA Health and Wellness Team // Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. or Thursdays, 5-6 p.m.

This specialized indoor cycling class is designed to significantly improve your cardiovascular strength and endurance and body composition. In addition to a fantastic weekly workout, participants also receive:

• A Functional Threshold Power Test (FTP) Test
• Body composition testing and measurements
• “How-to” instructions for the IGC Training App used during class
• Bonus DIY workouts to complete on their own

Register Now