Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

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Hometown Hero: Amanda DeBoard

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“Huge heart.”
“Reliable.”
“Hard-working.”
“Kids love her.”
“Parents love her.”

That’s Amanda DeBoard in a nutshell.

You don’t develop that kind of reputation overnight. You have to earn it. And Amanda sure has.

She’s been involved with the Y since 2008, first as a staff member of the Galowich Family YMCA in Joliet. She later transferred to the Morris YMCA after they debuted their before and after school Kid Zone program at White Oak and Saratoga Elementary Schools.

As their longest-tenured part-time employee, Amanda is the Morris Y’s undisputed MVP. For years, she has excelled at nearly every position—Kid Zone Counselor, Membership Desk Attendant, Summer Camp Counselor and Kids Corner Attendant. She can truly do it all.

Reminiscing about her YMCA career, Amanda says the Y has helped her grow on a personal level. “They lift you up here,” she said.

The truth is we’re just following in her footsteps.

Hometown Hero: Terry Donahue

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For most of his life, Terry Donahue has made it a priority to serve others. It started as a young man when he attended nursing school. It continued when he joined the US Army. (“Uncle Sam got me,” he says.)

His tenure with the Army lasted 22 years and included a tour in Vietnam and the opportunity to go to anesthesia school. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1988. Down the road, Terry became a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and administered anesthesia for a living.

Terry and his wife Carol are Premier Members at the Morris YMCA. They took a chance and joined the Y before we ever opened our doors. Terry, 72, is now one of our most active members. Following his own advice—“stay active, don’t vegetate”—he can often be found at the Y running on the treadmill, lifting weights or doing yoga.

Falls Prevention Awareness Day

gjOn Thursday, September 22—the first day of fall—we are observing Falls Prevention Awareness Day (FPAD). The idea behind FPAD is to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an older adult in the U.S. is treated in the ER for a fall-related injury every 14 seconds and dies from a fall-related injury every 29 minutes. Additionally, falls put an immense strain on the health care system, with the financial toll expected to reach $67.7 billion by 2020.

The good news is falls are preventable, and the first step to prevention is understanding risk. With a focus on healthy aging, the Y is committed to helping older adults learn their fall risk and access programs that can help them reduce their risk for falls.

The CDC suggests these basic lifestyle and safety changes to help reduce risk or prevent falls:

  • Begin an exercise program to improve your leg strength & balance. We recommend Enhance®Fitness, a senior fitness class that is free for Full Members and open to the community.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medicines.
  • Get annual eye check-ups & update your eyeglasses.
  • Make your home safer by:
    • Removing clutter & tripping hazards.
    • Putting railings on all stairs & adding grab bars in the bathroom.
    • Installing proper lighting, especially on stairs.

To learn more about staying active at the Y, please contact your local Greater Joliet Area YMCA branch today!

Volunteer Spotlight: Gus Rousonelos

garden-webChildren in the C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s summer day camp program had the opportunity to learn about the importance of healthy eating while tending to the YMCA’s garden this summer thanks to the generosity of longtime member and Y supporter Gus Rousonelos.

This spring, Gus purchased and planted all the seeds and plants for the garden to ensure it was already growing when the kids arrived on the first day of summer camp.

Rousonelos also teamed up with part-time staff member Melissa Vidito to speak with the campers each week about gardening and nutrition. Campers even had the opportunity to taste test a variety of different fruits and vegetables throughout the summer.

Thank you, Gus, for being a loyal Y member and supporting our summer camp program.

As seen in the Fall 2016 Donor Newsletter, which can be found here.

Leaving a Legacy

bill-sull-webBill Sullivan was first introduced to the YMCA around 1940 when he was just eight-years-old. His parents took him to the Peru, Illinois branch where he learned to swim and learned about the Y’s Christian principles.

Throughout the next several decades, Bill stayed apprised of Y work in the communities where he lived but became most deeply invested after joining the Galowich Family YMCA 15 years ago.

More than a place to lift weights and complete his cardio workout, Bill has formed friendships with Y members and staff. The Y has become a second home for him.

Bill cares so much about the Y that he pledged to help ensure its future through a gift in his will. This gift, which will be realized after his lifetime, is called a “bequest” and is a popular form of Legacy Giving.

For his generous commitment, Bill will be inducted into the YMCA’s Heritage Club later this month.

Thank you, Bill, for making our Y a better place today with your smile and gentle spirit, and through your special gift in the future.

As seen in the Fall 2016 Donor Newsletter, which can be found here.

Maurice Fears Named Everyday Hero by Shaw Media

mfearsMaurice Fears—Executive Director of the Smith Family YMCA—is one of our longest tenured staff members. One of our strongest leaders. One of our greatest friends. One of our Everyday Heroes.

Everyday Heroes is an initiative by Shaw Media that honors those who selflessly donate their time and talents to help those in need or to better their community.

Nominated by the community members he’s served for so long, Maurice was named one of this year’s Everyday Heroes for his tireless commitment to providing quality programming for youth throughout Joliet.

Read His Story

United Way