All Locations — Page 35 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Let Your Talent Shine: 2024 YMCA Holiday Card Design Contest

September 25, 2024

The YMCA’s Holiday Card Design Contest is back! Open to Y Members, ages 6-12, the contest is the perfect opportunity for kids to let their artistic talents shine and help spread a little cheer this upcoming holiday season.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Download an entry form and print it out. Entry forms are also available at the Y’s Front Desk.

2. Grab some crayons, markers and colored pencils and draw a picture that depicts your favorite things about the holidays and the winter season. From snowmen to Christmas trees, to candy canes and snowflakes, we can’t wait to see your original designs!

3. Complete the entry form and drop it off at the Y.

We will select our three favorite designs—one from each age group—to be featured on the Y’s holiday card.

Age Groups

Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-12

Each of our winners will receive a YMCA Sweatshirt and other exciting prizes.

Download Entry Form

The deadline to enter is 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 7.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Partnering with Joliet Junior College to Host Youth Basketball and Coaching Clinics

September 25, 2024

The YMCA is teaming up with Joliet Junior College (JJC) to prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting youth basketball clinics for kids of all ages, as well as a special coaches clinic. These FREE co-ed clinics will be taught by JJC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shaun Sanderson and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Danny Turner alongside members of their respective teams.

Youth Basketball Clinics

These sessions will focus on teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the game of basketball, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball handling.

Saturday, October 26
Grades 5-12
12:30-2 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Following the clinic on October 26, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on JJC during the annual women’s basketball Alumni game, which will begin at 3 p.m.

Saturday, November 16
Grades Pre-K-4
9-10:30 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Following the clinic on November 16, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on the JJC Women’s basketball team at 1 p.m.

Coaches Clinics

These sessions will provide coaches with an overview of skills, drills, practice schedules, and game strategies for the upcoming YMCA youth basketball season. Session topics will vary based on grade level, but coaches are welcome to participate in all sessions.

Saturday, December 7
Pre-K-Kindergarten: 9-10 a.m.
Grades 1-3: 10-11 a.m.
Grades 4-6: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Grades 7-12: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

All clinics will be held at the following location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

ABOUT COACH SANDERSON
As the winningest coach in the program’s history, Coach Sanderson has been at the helm of the JJC women’s basketball program for 17 seasons. Since becoming the head coach at JJC, Sanderson has helped more than 50 athletes extend their playing careers at four-year institutions and has coached 22 all-conference players, 23 all-region players, four All-Americans, and six Academic All-Americans.

ABOUT COACH TURNER
Coach Turner became the head men’s basketball coach at JJC in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels to the Wolves program. Turner has also worked as an instructor at several high-profile camps in the Chicagoland area, including the Chicago Bulls Basketball Academy, Northwestern University, and DePaul University basketball camps.

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2024 Golf Classic Raises More Than $72,000 for YMCA Mission Strong Fund

September 24, 2024

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA was proud to kickstart an impactful fall during our annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which was held on Wednesday, September 18 at ‘The Creek’ in Morris. It was truly a day to remember as an inspired and generous group of YMCA supporters helped raise more than $72,000 at the sold-out event.

Funds raised from the outing, which was generously presented by Midland States Bank, 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. Now in its third year, the Mission Strong Golf Classic has raised more than $200,000 to provide financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community.

Golfers enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, on-course games, and an evening program that included a cocktail reception, dinner, and exciting raffles. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the Y’s mission and pledge their support by making a charitable donation to the Y’s scholarship program through our ‘Clear the Pond’ fundraiser, which raised nearly $10,000 at this year’s outing.

The 2024 Mission Strong Golf Classic volunteer planning committee included: Madi Brown, Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Whitney Valdivia, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, and Erin Lightbody provided staff support.

Our generous sponsors included:

Presenting Sponsor
Midland States Bank

Leading Sponsors
Narvick Bros.
Old National Bank

Titanium Sponsors
Guy and Jan Christensen
D’Arcy Motors
Edward Jones
Grundy Bank
Hamilton & Antonsen, Ltd
Hollywood Casino Joliet
Hope Bound Development Corporation – Housing Authority of Joliet
Joliet Bank & Trust, A Branch of Old Plank Community Bank, N.A. A Wintrust Community Bank
Low Voltage Solutions, Inc.
Testa Steel Constructors, Inc.
T R Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Graphite Sponsors
Ascension Saint Joseph – Joliet
Edward Jones
Midwest Equipment Group

Golfer’s Choice Sponsors
Baish Excavating
Suzy and Chris Brown
C and J Avery Family Foundation
Cintas
Concrete by Wagner, Inc.
ExxonMobil – Joliet Refinery
Law Offices of John F. Argoudelis, LLC
L. DeGeus & Associates, Inc.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Ron Tirapelli Ford
Dr. Theresa Rouse
Silver Cross Hospital
Valley Fire Protection Systems, LLC

Exclusive Hole Sponsors
Associated Orthodontists
“D” Construction, Inc.
Old Second Bank
Ozinga
Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
Window World of Joliet
Young Company

Hole Sponsors
Margie Bonuchi, Plainfield Village Trustee
Burks Bros. Drywall, Inc.
The Butkus Family
Conley Excavating & Construction
DesignGroup
Elliott Electric Supply
Financial Plus Credit Union
Gene May Heating & Cooling
Hometown National Bank
Hospitality Guru Group
JB Contracting Corp
Ron & Kathy Kazmar, Proud Supporters of the YMCA
Kozol Bros., Inc.
Larson Engineering, Inc.
Lori Bonarek Realty
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Northfield Block Co. an Oldcastle Company
PLZ Corp
SERVPRO of Joliet
Sparkle Laundromat
Speedway Auto Parts
State Farm – Howard Wright
Turk Furniture

In-Kind Support
Graphic Promotions, Inc.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2025 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will be held on Wednesday, September 17, in Morris. To make a tax-deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here.

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Welcome to #YMCATok – The Y is Now on TikTok

September 12, 2024

The Y is excited to announce that we are now on TikTok! Stay connected to the YMCA community by following our page below:

FOLLOW NOW

And don’t forget to let us know what you think! We encourage you to collaborate! Make sure to tag us @jolietymca when visiting the Y!

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Belonging Begins With Us: Celebrate Welcoming Week at the YMCA

September 11, 2024

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA will be joining YMCAs across the country to celebrate Welcoming Week from September 13-22! Welcoming Week, an initiative of Y-USA’s national partner Welcoming America, elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of our country. This week-long celebration is an opportunity for neighbors – both immigrants and US-born residents – to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community.

This week, when you visit your local Y branch, you’ll be able to participate in fun activities that will get you in to the spirit of Welcome Week.

EXPAND YOUR WORLD

Members will be invited to participate in nine fun and easy activities to expand their perspectives and make our community a more welcoming place for all. You can grab an activity card by visiting the Membership Desk or download a card today by clicking below. How many can you accomplish during the week?

Welcome Week Activity Card

BRINGING PEOPLE CLOSER

Members will have the opportunity to pin their country of origin on a map located in the lobby. We are so excited to display a worldwide community throughout the week!

LEARN, GROW, THRIVE

Kid Zone sites will help celebrate YMCA Welcoming Week with group readings of ‘Stand in My Shoes’ by Bob Sornson. This short story will help children understand the importance of empathy when interacting with others.

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