C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to announce six winners for our 2025 Holiday Card Design Contest. These designs were selected from hundreds submitted to our branches and are be featured on the Y’s 2025 Holiday Cards. Thank you to all who participated! You can see the winning designs below.
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been proud to once again serve as a Toys for Tots collection and distribution site in 2025. As the largest distribution organization in the area, the Y sorts through several thousand toys each holiday season. This week, volunteers came together at the Galowich Family YMCA to prepare gifts that will provide a memorable Christmas for more than 800 children in need in our community. From action figures and books, to basketballs and board games, these generously donated gifts were collected in partnership with the United States Marine Corps Reserve.
On behalf of the Y and all the families we served this year, we’d like to thank Joliet Junior College Athletics, Old National Bank, and Target for their amazing volunteer support with Toys for Tots. We also thank Target for providing funds to donate holiday meals to families in need.
For more information about Toys For Tots in our area, click here.
As part of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs dynamic collaboration with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), the Greater Joliet Area YMCA will host qualifying rounds of the Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament on Sunday, January 25.
Under the statewide theme, “The Dream Starts Here,” this collaboration brings together the resources and expertise of YMCAs across Illinois, the IHSA, and the IESA to inspire a new generation of leaders and athletes by promoting participation in youth sports statewide. Additionally, the initiative encourages young people to consider jobs and volunteer opportunities at the Y where they can gain valuable skills and hands-on experience to pursue career pathways in sports-related fields like coaching, officiating, and sports administration.
EVENT DETAILS
The Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament is open to kids ages 14 and under. Teams of two will be able to “Shoot for State” by competing in a qualifying round hosted by a local YMCA.
Boys and Girls Divisions will be available for each of the following age groups:
9U
10U
12U
14U
Participants can register for one of three event locations. Teams will compete some time between 9 a.m.-Noon. Registration is required for both team members. Participants will be contacted with their competition time slot after completing registration.
Event Sites:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
Joliet Junior College – Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
HOW IT WORKS
During the qualifying round, each team will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible, shooting from designated spots on the court. The top scoring team from each division will then have their score entered into the statewide contest to be compared to winners at other event sites.
The top two statewide scores from each girls division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament in Normal on March 7, 2025.
The top two statewide scores from each boys division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament in Champaign on March 14, 2025.
To learn more, please contact your local Y branch:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217
Galowich Family YMCA
Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
[email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 317
Morris Hospital YMCA
Chris Interial, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514
We invite you to take the next step in your fitness journey by taking advantage of our Winter Personal Training Sale.
SALE EXTENDED
Now through December 31, if you purchase four personal training sessions sessions, you get one free!*
Learn more about personal trainers at your local Y branch by clicking below.
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Galowich Family YMCA
Morris Community YMCA
Register online by clicking below.
One-on-One Personal Training
Avery
Galowich
Morris
Group of Two Personal Training
Avery
Galowich
Morris
*Offer valid December 1-31, 2025. Valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Visit your local branch for more details.
This holiday season, you have the power to make a real difference in the lives of people in our community. The Greater Joliet Area YMCA invites you to join us in spreading joy by contributing to the Mission Strong Fund.
And you may be able to double the impact of your donation through the Matching Gifts program.
The Mission Strong Fund ensures that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay. By making a charitable gift to this fund, you contribute directly to empowering individuals, promoting healthy living, and fostering a stronger sense of community.
Here’s how you may be able to amplify the impact of your donation:
Remember, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. That means your donation is not only impactful but also tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Your support helps create a stronger, healthier, and more connected community, and we’re immensely grateful for your commitment to our mission
Every day the Greater Joliet Area YMCA affirms its commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Y programs provide opportunities for all generations, ensuring that every individual feels a sense of belonging. And as a non-profit, community-based organization, the YMCA relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to provide services and financial assistance for children, adults and families living in our community.
That is why the YMCA would like to thank the Hollywood Casino Joliet, which recently provided a $9,354.30 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund. This gift will help to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.
“Fulfilling the Y mission is not possible without the kindness of local businesses like Hollywood Casino, and we are so grateful to have their support,” Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair said. “We know that this donation will make a difference for children and families participating in programs throughout the Y,” added Leclair.
To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here.
