Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign Raises More than $205,000

Over the past several weeks, generous Y supporters came together to raise more than $205,000 to help send kids to YMCA camp this summer!

Because of this incredible generosity, our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign was truly one for the record books – providing more than 4,100 days of camp for children in our community.

Whether by making a personal gift, sharing information about our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign on social media, or inviting friends and family members to learn more about the Y’s youth development work, we want to thank everyone in the Y community for making an AMAZING difference. With the help of charitable, kids have the opportunity to experience a summer filled with friendship, confidence, and unforgettable memories.

While this year’s campaign has officially come to a close, there’s still time to support the YMCA’s mission and help create opportunities for kids and families all year long.

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY

Thank you for your careful consideration and commitment to making a difference for the kids in our community.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all gifts to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA are tax-deductible.

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Inspiring Generosity: How to Become a YMCA Chairman’s Roundtable Donor

The Chairman’s Roundtable (CRT) recognizes major donors whose annual charitable giving totals $1,000 or more in a calendar year. We honor CRT donors with special recognition according to their giving level. All CRT Partners are celebrated with custom banners displayed for a year at the branch of their choice.

Donor banners are displayed year-round in our three Greater Joliet Area YMCA locations, which welcome more than 775,000 visitors each year.

HOW TO BECOME A CRT DONOR

1. PLEDGE A DONATION

Contact the Development Team at (815) 782-0502 to pledge your gift of $1,000 or more.

2. DESIGN YOUR BANNER

All CRT donors have the opportunity to customize their banner. Please Note: CRT Donors will be asked to approve a final proof of their custom banner before it is printed. Customization details can be found below.

CRT Banner Customization

3. CHOOSE YOUR BANNER PLACEMENT

Our Development Team will notify donors when their banner has been hung in the YMCA location of their choice, so you can plan a visit to the Y and see it on display.

Banner Recognition Levels

Platinum Partner through Visionary ($5,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 3 YMCA Locations

Gold Partner ($3,000 and up)
36″x72″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 2 YMCA Locations of Your Choice

Silver Partner ($1,000-$2,999)
24″x36″ Custom Banner
Displayed at 1 YMCA Location of Your Choice

And don’t forget, now is the perfect time to give during our 2026 Send a Kid to Campaign. Learn more and donate online today by clicking here.

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Summer Fun Starts at the Y: Friendly Reminders for YMCA Facility Members

We know that the start of summer is an exciting time at the Y. To help our members make the most of their Y experience, here are a few friendly reminders :

Swim Lessons
YMCA summer session programs begin on June 1 and Early Bird pricing for Summer 1 swim lessons is available through Tuesday, May 26. Be sure to register before the Early Bird deadline to SAVE!

ONLINE REGISTRATION

Facility Schedules
Members can find up to date facility schedules using the YMCA On the Go App or by clicking here.

Locks and Locker Usage
Lockers are available for daily use and YMCA members and guests are encouraged to bring locks to secure their belongings while visiting the Y. Items may not be stored in lockers overnight. Locks may be purchased at the Membership Desk.

Parking Lot Traffic
Please note that Summer Day Camp activities will begin across YMCA branches throughout the next week. All Y visitors should be aware of increased traffic during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. We encourage members and guests to use caution and slow speeds at all times when navigating parking lots.

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Registration Underway for Junior Wolves Summer Youth Softball Program

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves program is excited to offer a new youth softball program this summer. This program is designed for girls, ages 6-8, who are looking to strengthen their game!

Athletes will practice key skills, including catching, throwing, hitting, and base running. Whether your child is brand new to the sport or working to develop their fundamentals, this program is the perfect way for kids to have fun and learn the values of teamwork and sportsmanship!

Participants may attend programming at both of the following locations:

Dates:
May 26-27
June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, and 29
July 1

Location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

Program will run from 5-7 p.m. each week and include 60 minutes of practice and 60 minutes of gameplay. All participants must bring a glove and are encouraged to bring a helmet, face mask, cleats, and a bat.

Cost: $25, includes a t-shirt

REGISTER TODAY

If you have any questions, please contact Sports Director Zach Jarosz at [email protected] or by phone at (815) 782- 0813.

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SPONSORSHIPS FOR THE 2026 YMCA MISSION STRONG GOLF CLASSIC ON SALE NOW

As the Greater Joliet Area YMCA celebrates its Centennial Anniversary in 2026, we are excited to announce that sponsorship opportunities for the fifth annual Mission Strong Golf Classic are now available. Generously presented by Midland States Bank, this year’s outing will take place on Monday, August 31 at Morris Country Club. Proceeds will support the Mission Strong Fund, helping ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, the success of all YMCA fundraising events depends greatly on the generosity of local businesses and individuals through sponsorship support. Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $250 to $5,000, with corresponding benefits, are available. Presenting, leading, titanium, and graphite level sponsors are invited to purchase additional foursomes for this year’s outing before they go on sale to the general public on July 14, 2026. Dinner tickets for the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic are also available for $50.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN US
Fifth Annual YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic
Monday, August 31

Lunch – 11 a.m.
Shotgun Start – Noon

Morris Country Club- New Location for 2026!
2615 US-6
Morris, Illinois 60450

Your day will include:

  • 18 holes of golf with a cart
  • Lunch and complimentary beverages on the course
  • A cocktail reception, dinner, and awards
  • Welcome gift, course games, prizes, raffles, and more

Cost:
Foursomes: $850*
Cocktail/Dinner Reception Tickets: $50*

*Foursomes and dinner tickets will go on sale at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14.

To learn more about the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION:
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0800

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

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Constellation Provides Generous $20,000 Donation in Support of YMCA Send a Kid to Camp Campaign

At the Y, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive at summer day camp, but we can’t do it alone. Last summer, more than half of the children who attended YMCA camp did so with the support of our financial assistance program – made possible by the generosity of donors.

And with our 2026 Send a Kid to Camp Campaign in full swing, we are excited to announce an incredible $20,000 donation from Constellation. This gift will help support the camp experience of 80 children this summer.

“We are so grateful for the kindness of local businesses like Constellation and the impact charitable giving has on children in our community,” Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin said. “Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference in helping the Y fulfill our mission of creating safe educational spaces for kids. We can’t thank Constellation enough for their commitment to a shared vision of youth development.”

To ensure that the Y’s mission will continue to thrive and help those kids in our community who need it most, we invite you to make a donation to our Send a Kid to Camp today by clicking here.

Pictured in top photo: (L-R) Morris Hospital YMCA Executive Director Jamie Heitman, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin, Constellation Outage Scheduler Ryan Stapleton, Constellation Facilities and Maintenance Staff Member Rebecca Perez, Constellation Rad Protection and Site Impact Staff Member Rachel Lobb, Constellation Community Relations Manager Val Runner, Morris Hospital YMCA Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton, Constellation Mechanical Maintenance Staff Member Tony Drapal, and Morris Hospital YMCA Youth and Family Manager Maggie Fowler. 

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