- Home Depot-Shorewood Provides Generous Donation for Membership Desk Renovation at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA
The C.W. Avery Family YMCA is excited to start the new year with a fresh look after completing renovations on our Membership Desk this past week!This project, which was made possible by a generous $9,246 donation from Home Depot-Shorewood, featured installation of a new countertop, updated cabinets, and a fresh coat of paint.
“The Y strives to be a welcoming place from the moment someone walks through the doors, and we know the updates to our Membership Desk will continue to help members and guests feel at home when visiting the Y,” C.W. Avery Family YMCA Executive Director Erin Lightbody said.
We would like to thank Home Deport-Shorewood for their generosity, as well as the members of the Y staff team who assisted with the completion of the project. We also thank members for their patience throughout the construction process.
- Register for 2026 YMCA Spring Sports Leagues
When kids play sports, they do more than just exercise. Besides being physically active, they develop higher self-esteem, perform better in school and work better in groups. Youth sports programs at the YMCA teach kids the fundamentals of the game while emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Above all, kids who participate in YMCA youth sports have a lot of fun.And now, registration is underway for YMCA spring sports leagues! As a reminder, Facility and Community Members from all Greater Joliet Area YMCA branches are welcome to participate at all league locations.
Learn more about spring sports leagues available at your local Y branch by clicking below:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball/Player Pitch Baseball, and Soccer
REGISTER ONLINEJoliet Community YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football
REGISTER ONLINEMorris Hospital YMCA
Offering NFL FLAG Football and T-Ball/Pinto Baseball/8U Softball
REGISTER ONLINEIf you have any questions, please contact:
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217Zach Jarosz, Sports Director
Joliet Community YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317Chris Interial, Sports Director
Morris Hospital YMCA
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514 - Make a Splash at the YMCA: 2026 Winter Swim Lesson Sale
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is excited to announce a Winter Swim Lesson Sale!Save $7 when you register for Winter 2 swim lessons from January 19-26.
Offer valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location. Open to Facility Members and Community Members. Some restrictions may apply.
Use promo code: SWIMWI26 when registering online. You can also call your local branch to reserve your time slot:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
(815) 267-8600Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431
(815) 744-3939Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 West Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450
(815) 513-8080 - Celebrating YMCA Volunteer Leadership: Cheri Rubocki
This week we are excited to highlight one of our most dedicated volunteer leaders in Cheri Rubocki, whose two-year term as chairman of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Board of Directors came to a close in December.“As soon as I stepped on this board, I recognized the commitment, the collaboration, and the special people that we have at the Y. Everyone is willing to step up in any capacity and it’s such a collaborative group. It’s been so incredibly rewarding,” Rubocki said.
Rubocki, a Joliet native, has spent more than 30 years in the banking industry and currently serves as the Southwest Suburbs Market President and Senior Director of Talent Strategy and Acquisition for Old National Bank. She has been involved with the Y for more than 25 years, dating back to her time as a JETS swim team parent, and previously served on the Galowich Family YMCA Advisory Council.
“I want to give a special thanks to (Immediate Past Chair) Guy Christensen. He set such an incredible example for what a Y board member should be,” Rubocki said. “It’s also been amazing to work with Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair at the helm. Katy, her leadership team, and all staff members of the Y inspire us to want to do more.”
Rubocki said one of the highlights of her term, which began as construction efforts on the Morris Hospital YMCA were ongoing, was opening day for the Y’s first full service facility in Grundy County.
“I think about all the work put in by the members of the Morris Capital Campaign and Morris Advisory Council, and to see the pride that was exuding from them on that day was so inspiring. To be a part of that was an absolute privilege,” she said.
Rubocki also helped guide the launch of the new Joliet Community YMCA, an innovative initiative established in February 2025 that brings vital YMCA youth development, sports, and family programming to neighborhood locations throughout the greater Joliet community.
“It’s been amazing to watch the partnerships we have with organizations like Joliet Junior College, the Salvation Army, and Messiah Lutheran Church grow and strengthen our services to children and families in Joliet,” she said.
And Rubocki noted that Y programs and services will continue to expand in the form of the new Village of Shorewood YMCA, which will open later this spring,
“There is a ton of excitement about the new facility in Shorewood and we’re looking forward to the impact it will have on that community and beyond,” Rubocki said.
In addition to the Shorewood facility’s grand opening, 2026 will feature a yearlong Centennial Celebration for the Greater Joliet Area YMCA. It’s a milestone that demonstrates the Y’s continued commitment to service, Rubocki said.
“To reflect on the sheer number of families and people that we have helped in our community over the past 100 years is remarkable. It’s humbling to think about having a part in it,” she said.
On behalf of all of our members, volunteers, community partners, and the Y’s staff team, we thank Cheri for her generosity, service, and leadership.
“It has been an incredible honor to work alongside Cheri over the past two years,” Katy Leclair said. “Her drive to support the Y mission is unrivaled, and her ability to foster collaboration has contributed to successes that will have an immense impact on our Y for years to come.”
- Tickets Now On Sale for the 2026 YMCA Gala
The 2026 YMCA Gala, generously presented by Midland States Bank, will be held on Saturday, February 28, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Tickets for this must-attend event are now on sale!Since its inception, the Y’s signature fundraising event has raised nearly $1.8 million to benefit families within our community. Join us as we celebrate charitable giving at the YMCA by showcasing the Y’s impact in our community and the generous donors who help to make our mission come to life each and every day.
This elegant evening will include:
- A cocktail hour, dinner, and open bar
- Silent and Live auctions
- Raise the Paddle giving opportunities
- Wine Pull and Heads or Tails raffles
- Live entertainment and dancing
Funds raised from this year’s event 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.
INSPIRING GENEROSITY
At this year’s Gala, the Y will also present the C.W. and J.L. Avery Philanthropic Award to Paul E. Gantzert in recognition of his generous and inspiring charitable support of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.LEARN MORE
For more details about remaining sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase cash raffle/toast of the town raffle tickets, visit our event headquarters.If you have questions about the YMCA Gala, please contact:
EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: dchestnutt@jolietymca.org
Phone: (815) 782-0800
C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
