C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Y wants to help by encouraging our community to wear pink during the week of October 21-27!
Members who wear pink to the Y will earn an entry into a raffle to win special Y swag. (Max. 7 entries.) Daily raffles will be held at each branch.
STOP BY THE Y AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT!
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA hosted its 2024 Heritage Club Dinner at Mistwood Golf Club on Thursday, October 10. Held annually, this evening celebrates charitable giving at the YMCA and recognizes those donors who have chosen to make a legacy gift to the Y.
Heritage Club membership is granted to those individuals who have included a gift for the YMCA in their will or estate plans. Many Heritage Club members have also generously established a named endowment fund or supported the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, which helps to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.
Message of Thanks
The evening began with Greater Joliet Area YMCA Endowment Committee Chair Susan Lee welcoming those in attendance and thanking them for their continued support of the Y’s mission. Lee also thanked the Salvation Army Band for providing the evening’s entertainment and previewed the stories of impact that would be shared throughout the night. Lee then invited Endowment Development Committee Volunteer Jackie Bersano to offer an invocation.
Celebration of Charitable Giving
Following dinner, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair reflected on the incredible support the Y continues to receive from the community. She recognized the Y’s past donors, volunteers, and employees whose foresight and vision laid the groundwork to shape what the organization has become today.
Leclair then introduced Galowich Family Y member Yesenia Dominguez and her daughter Fernanda, who spoke about the impact YMCA programs have had on their family over the years. Yesenia described how her children have had wonderful experiences in the Y’s Summer Day Camp, Before and After School Kid Zone, and Teen REACH programs, and Fernanda shared that one of her future goals is to become a YMCA volunteer. Leclair presented Yesenia and Fernanda with gifts of appreciation and thanked them for sharing their story with all those in attendance.
The evening continued with a celebration of YMCA member, volunteer, and donor Bill Lauer. Lauer, who first visited the Y at the age of 8, is the longest active member at the Greater Joliet Area YMCA and was invited to share stories from his more than 80 years of experience in the Y community. Endowment Committee Volunteer Donna Zanzola was then welcomed to the podium to speak about Lauer’s impact as a volunteer.
Leclair concluded the evening by thanking Lauer for his incredible impact on YMCA staff members and his lifelong commitment to the Y’s mission and our community. She presented him with a gift in anticipation of his 90th birthday, and invited the room to sing happy birthday to celebrate.
An Invitation for Impact
The YMCA’s doors continue to expand with open arms and it is through gifts like those provided by Heritage Club members that make this possible.
To learn more about Heritage Club membership and the Y’s endowment fund, please visit:
Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge Starting November 11Our 8-week Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge will help you get in shape and keep the weight off during the holiday season. We have a great plan to help you adopt healthy eating and exercise habits while saying ‘No’ to those tempting holiday cravings.
Are you up for the challenge?
If you can maintain your weight within 2 pounds for 8 weeks, you will receive a $20 YMCA credit that can be used towards any fitness program, including personal training. If you gain more than 2 pounds during this eight-week challenge, your fee will be donated in your name to the Y’s Mission Strong Fund.
There will be two mandatory weigh-ins:
Week 1 (some time between November 11 and November 22)
Week 8 (some time between January 2 and January 9)
There will also be optional weigh-in:
Week 4 (some time between December 2 and December 8)
As part of this fun-filled Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge, you will receive:
Let’s have a little fun this holiday season. Together, we will help you celebrate the holiday season happy and healthy!
Registration is now open. Select your branch below and sign up today!
Cost: $30
PLEASE NOTE: Registration closes on November 16.
BENEFITTING TOYS FOR TOTSThe Greater Joliet Area YMCA is teaming up with the United Parcel Service (UPS) and Star 96.7 to host a Christmas Toy Collection Drive to ensure every kid in our community has a toy to open this holiday season!
Help us make the holiday season a little brighter for families in need in our community by donating a new, unwrapped toy for a child, ages 17 and younger. We will also be collecting donations of gift wrap and bows.
This festive morning will include a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Star 96.7’s Midday Host Jillian Bass will be at the YMCA broadcasting live from 10 a.m.-Noon. Members of the Plainfield Fire Department, Plainfield Police Department, and United States Marine Corps will also be onsite to support this event. 
Make your plans to join us!
Date: Saturday, November 2
Time: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Location:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
For more information about Toys For Tots in our area, click here.
Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of spooky, Halloween-themed activities planned for you and your family. Join us for ‘Spook-tacular’ fun!
Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Monster Mash
Friday, October 18
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Kids need a break from your parents? No problem! Bring your friends and have a blast at the Y with our cool counselors on Friday night! Wear your favorite Halloween costume to celebrate a Monster Mash! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.
Cost: $15 for Facility Members/$30 for Community Members
Boo Bash
Friday, October 25
6-8 p.m.
Join us for a family friendly spooktacular Halloween event with fun activities, games, crafts, and candy! Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume.
Cost: Free and open to the community.
The Y is also looking for businesses to participate in this event by hosting a table with a game, activity, or craft, as well as handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters. A table and chairs will be provided.
To learn more, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 315.
Trunk-or-Treat
Saturday, October 26
10-11:30 a.m.
Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450
It’s Halloween time and we’re having a bash! Wear your best costume and do a little Monster Dash! Come trunk or treat from the numerous trunks provided by local businesses.
Cost: Free and open to the community
If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513.
Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Costume Party
Friday, October 25
6:30-9 p.m.
Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Be sure to wear your Halloween costumes! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.
Cost: $15 for Facility Members/$30 for Community Members
Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 26
1-3 p.m.
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
Each of our winners will receive a YMCA Sweatshirt and other exciting prizes.
The deadline to enter is 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 7.
