Because the health and safety of our YMCA community is our top priority, volunteers from the Y’s BE THE GOOD Gala Committee, in partnership with Y staff, made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 event, which was originally slated for this weekend.
Like you, we are very disappointed that we won’t be celebrating together at this year’s Gala, but we are looking forward to the day when we can all gather together again in our best attire to showcase the Y’s work in our community, and celebrate the generous donors who help make our mission come alive each and every day.
Like many non-profit organizations, the Y has experienced substantial financial losses and unforeseen expenses as a result of COVID-19. To ensure that the Y’s mission can continue to thrive and help those in our community who need it most, we need the support of charitable giving more than ever.
At past Galas, donors, like you, have generously supported the Y by purchasing tickets, raising their paddle, and purchasing live and silent auction items. Although we won’t be gathering in person at the Gala this year, we are encouraging members of the community to show their support for the YMCA by making a charitable gift to the Mission Strong Fund. A donation, in any amount, will help to change the lives of people living right here in our community.
Please take a few minutes to watch the video below, which highlights the work the Y has been doing in our community during these unprecedented times.
Please mark your calendars and plan to join us at our 2021 BE THE GOOD Gala, which will be held on Saturday, October 30, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. It will surely be a night to remember.
Until then, we hope that you will consider making a donation to the Y’s Mission Strong Fund. Anyone who makes a charitable gift of $300 or more between October 21 and Sunday, October 25, 2020, will be entered in a drawing to win two tickets to our 2021 Gala.
Thank you again for your generous support of the YMCA.
Although the YMCA’s Kid Zone PLUS programs have had to adapt this fall in the wake of the COVID-19 public health crisis, providing valuable learning experiences for children remains at the forefront of the Y’s mission. That is why the Smith Family YMCA is excited to partner with Lewis University for a series of health and wellness presentations designed to teach children in Kid Zone PLUS about the importance of healthy living. 
Through its commitment to youth development, the Y nurtures the potential of every child in its Kid Zone PLUS programs by incorporating the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility in a resource-rich environment for children in grades K-8. Although the current public health crisis has presented new challenges, the Y has worked diligently with its partner school districts to adapt its child care programs to meet the needs of families in Will and Grundy Counties. These efforts are made possible through the generosity of organizations like J-Power USA, which recently provided a $5,000 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund and Kid Zone PLUS. 
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA would like to thank our members staying with us and playing a key role in keeping our Y community safe and healthy. We are excited to extend another fun opportunity to members during the month of October. 
SPOOKY FUN FOR EVERYONE AT THE YMCA
