Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Make a Difference This Holiday Season by Participating in the Galowich Family YMCA’s Giving Tree

We invite you to join the Galowich Family YMCA in spreading cheer this holiday season by participating in our 2025 Giving Tree program. All items collected will be wrapped and given to YMCA families in need this Christmas season.

To participate, select an ornament tag from the wall next to the Christmas Tree in the lobby at the Galowich Family YMCA. Each tag describes an item on a child’s wish list. Members are welcome to select more than one gift. Return your unwrapped gift(s), with the ornament tag attached, by Friday, December 12 to the Membership Desk.

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Give to Strength: Make a Donation to the Y During Our 12 Days of Giving Campaign

For nearly 100 years, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has worked hand-in-hand with our neighbors to bring about meaningful change in our community. As one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations, the Y is committed to strengthening our community by empowering young people, improving individual and community well-being, and inspiring residents of all ages to give back and connect with their neighbors.

At our three facilities in Joliet, Plainfield, and Morris, and at more than 50 program sites throughout our community, the Y is providing much-needed programs and services for children, families, and adults living in Will and Grundy Counties. Each and every day, kids of all ages are learning to swim and making new friends at summer camp and through our before and after school Kid Zone programs; teens are setting goals for their future while receiving college readiness and career training; seniors are becoming physically stronger and making connections; and families are staying active and spending quality time together.

We know that the true power of the Y lives in the hearts and actions of everyone who believes in our vision of a better us and a stronger community for all. Whenever we see a neighbor in need, the Y stands ready to help with open arms and caring hearts. This would not be possible without the support of our generous donors.

To ensure that the Y’s mission can continue to thrive and help those in our community who need it most, we invite you to make a charitable gift to the YMCA’s 2025 Mission Strong Fund during our 12 Days of Giving Campaign, which begins on November 21 and will continue through Giving Tuesday on December 3.

Your gift this holiday season will help people living right here in our community – your friends and neighbors – and ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

DONATE TODAY

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JETS Swim Team Set to Host Thanksgiving Classic Meet

The JETS Swim Team is excited to feature a record contingent of more than 200 athletes heading into this weekend’s JETS Thanksgiving Classic hosted at Oswego East High School. 

“Our program is in the strongest place it’s ever been following this fall’s expansion at the Morris Hospital YMCA and continued growth in participation from kids in Plainfield and Joliet,” Director of Competitive Aquatics Dave Hedden said. “We have a great group of kids that are ready to compete.”

JETS swimmer Holly Zilinger (age 15) said it’s inspiring to be a part of the thriving team environment.

“It’s awesome to have a bunch of people interested in swimming. I know that since I started I’ve never looked back,” she said.

Ion Siminoi, a seven time Illinois YMCA State Champion, said the current team makeup is the product of multi-year commitments from a large number of swimmers.

“There’s a wave of kids that joined the team when they were 11 or 12 and now we’re all in the fastest group. This is going to be a great season and we’re hoping to do well at all our meets.”

For 15 year old Benjamin Jensen, the team has been a great opportunity to make new friends.

“Some of my best friends are on this team and that makes it easy to look forward to practice,” he said. “I go to Joliet West and I wouldn’t ever see the kids from Plainfield if it wasn’t for swimming. The camaraderie of our group has continued to build as we keep swimming with each other.”

These team bonds have been strengthened not only at competitive meets, but also on team trips to places like the Indiana Dunes and the Olympic Swim Trials. 

“I think we’ve learned a lot. We’re all very close. If somebody isn’t happy with their performance, a teammate is always there for you,” Zilinger said.

The experienced swimmers have also made it a point of emphasis to build a welcoming environment for the younger age groups.

“It’s a really familial team,” Siminoi said. “A lot of us have siblings on the team, so we do have the ability to connect and guide the younger swimmers.”

Maintaining a culture of teamwork, accountability, and respect has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff.

“JETS swimmers aren’t just team leaders, they’re community leaders, and we are so proud of the way they represent our Y each and every day,” Hedden said.

The Y wishes all the best to our JETS swimmers competing this weekend in Oswego and look forward to all the success they will have in the 2025-26 season!

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Working Together to Make Your Y Better: Facility Improvements at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA

November 20-21

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA is excited to share that we will be completing renovations on the Membership Desk. During this time, all members and guests will be asked to enter the building through the south entrance, located near the Multi-Purpose Rooms. We thank you in advance for your cooperation as we work with our vendor to complete prep work and installation in a timely manner.

This project was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Home Depot-Shorewood.

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Morris Hospital YMCA Offering Adult Co-Ed Volleyball League This Winter

If you’re looking for a little friendly competition, the Morris Hospital YMCA has got you covered! Registration is underway the Y’s Adult Volleyball League!

League Details:
-Season will run from January 7-March 4.

-Open to ages 17 and older.

-Games will be played at the Morris Hospital YMCA on Wednesday evenings from 7-9 p.m.

-Each team can register a roster with a maximum of 12 players.

-A minimum of two women will be required to be on the court at all times during game play. Matches will consist of three games.

-Rosters are due by the first game.

Rates:
Facility Member: $450 per team*
Community Member: $550 per team

*Team members qualify for member pricing if at least one member of the team has a Facility Membership at the YMCA.

Space is limited to eight teams, so don’t miss your chance to sign up!

REGISTER TODAY

For more information, please contact:
Sports Director Chris Interial
Phone: (815) 513-8080, ext. 514
Email: [email protected]

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YMCA Gala Cash Raffle and Toast of the Town Raffle Tickets Now On Sale

The 2026 YMCA Gala, generously presented by Midland States Bank, will be held on Saturday, February 28, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.

Funds raised from this year’s event will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay. Cash raffle and toast of the town raffle tickets are now available!

Cash Raffle

This year’s Cash Raffle is generously sponsored by Grundy Bank. Only 500 tickets will be sold!

Cost: $25

3 amazing prizes are available: $2,000, $1,000 and $500

You can deposit ticket stubs by:

  1. Returning it to the person who sold you the ticket
  2. Mailing it to: Greater Joliet Area YMCA, Attn: YMCA Gala Cash Raffle, 749 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431. Tickets must be received by 4 p.m. on February 217.
  3. Depositing it in the raffle drum at the YMCA Gala on February 28, 2025, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook, IL

PURCHASE CASH RAFFLE TICKETS

Toast of the Town Raffle

In honor of the Y’s Centennial Anniversary, we’re raising a glass with our Toast of the Town Raffle! One lucky winner will receive a custom bar and a remarkable bourbon collection, including three coveted bottles of Pappy Van Winkle.

This year’s Toast of the Town Raffle is generously sponsored by Ron Tirapelli Ford. Only 200 tickets will be sold! Digital purchases only.

Cost: $100

PURCHASE TOAST OF THE TOWN RAFFLE TICKETS

The winning tickets will be drawn during the YMCA Gala on February 28.

Winners are responsible for all applicable income taxes and must be at least 18 years old to enter. Prize must be claimed within 30 days of notification. Winners are subject to all raffle procedures, rules, regulations, directives, and state and local laws. Winner agrees by entering the raffle to authorize the release of his or her name and likeness for promotional purposes. According to the IRS, a raffle ticket is not tax deductible. Check with your financial advisor for additional information.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Limited sponsorship opportunities remain. Don’t miss out on your chance to support this amazing event!

PURCHASE GALA SPONSORSHIP

For More Information

If you have questions about the 2026 YMCA Gala, please contact:

EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: dchestnutt@jolietymca.org
Phone: (815) 782-0800

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United Way