Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris

You are here: Home / Archives for Giving

Registration Underway for 2024 YMCA Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge

Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge Starting November 11

Our 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:

  • A one-of-a-kind YMCA Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge T-shirt
  • Weekly emails with workout tips, healthy holiday recipes and special fitness challenges, designed specifically for challenge participants

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!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Community YMCA

Cost: $30

PLEASE NOTE: Registration closes on November 16.

SHARE THIS:

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

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.

SHARE THIS:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council Set to Host Celebrity Bartender Event on October 3

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Advisory Council is excited to host a special Celebrity Bartender Event! Stop by to see some of your favorite Y friends and support a great cause! All cash tips collected at the bar will benefit the YMCA Mission Strong Fund. Please remember to bring cash for raffles and to tip your bartender. Complimentary appetizers will be served. 

Date:
Thursday, October 3

Time:
6-9 p.m.

Location:
Chop’d
12337 S. Illinois Route 59, Suite #155
Plainfield, IL 60585

Celebrity Bartenders
Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis
Liz Bass
State Representative Harry Benton
Stephen Blount
Greg Chapman
Cathy Crawford
Elaine Curry
Kristen Derengowski
Rachel Fitzgerald
Rachael Gould
Rob Hamilton
Anna Hullinger
Village of Plainfield Trustee Cally Larson
Phillip Lawrence
Katy Leclair
Tasha Marsaglia
Plainfield Police Chief Robert Miller
Brian Minnis
Plainfield Township Trustee Eric Nelson
Ryan Peterson
Allison Ramey
Chris Ramirez
Marcus Rembert
Sean Smith

Raffle Ticket Sellers
Donnie Chestnutt
Rachael Gould

Emcee
Joe LaGiglia

SHARE THIS:

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Receives $7,500 Donation from Midland States Bank Foundation

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 offer these services and programs for children, adults and families living in our community.

That is why the YMCA would like to thank the Midland States Bank Foundation, which recently provided a $7,500 grant in support of YMCA Summer Day Camp, helping to ensure that campers, staff members, and volunteers had the resources to make this summer the #BestSummerEver.

To learn more about the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here. To show your support by making a donation, please click here. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R): Midland States Bank Senior Commercial Services Regional Manager Denise Bertucci, Midland States Bank Executive Vice President of Community Banking and Wealth Management Dan Stevenson, Galowich Family YMCA and Future Village of Shorewood YMCA Executive Director Trisha Dust, Galowich Family YMCA Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, and Midland States Bank Regional Community Development Relationship Manager Cornell Lurry

SHARE THIS:

Jason Clearwater Fund Donates $30,000 to Community Grows Here Capital Campaign

The Morris Community YMCA is excited to announce a generous $30,000 gift from the Jason Clearwater Fund in support of the Community Grows Here Capital Campaign. This donation will provide invaluable equipment and resources to sports programs at the future Morris Hospital YMCA, which is set to open in early 2025 at its location adjacent to Morris Grade School. 

The Y, in partnership with Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers, envisions a place where the community will come together to grow in spirit, mind, and body.

“We have been proud to offer YMCA sports programs to Grundy County and the surrounding communities for more than a decade,” Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin said. “And we know we will continue to build and improve these programs thanks to the incredible support from groups like the Jason Clearwater Fund. We can’t wait to welcome future athletes and their families.”

If you haven’t yet pledged your support for the Community Grows Here Capital Campaign, there is still time to make a gift and ensure your participation in one of the most transformative projects in Grundy County history. Donate today by clicking here or contact the Morris Community YMCA at (815) 513-8080 to learn more. 

Pictured above (left to right): JCF Board Member Karlie Vowell, JCF Board Member Todd Cade, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin, JCF Board Member Nate Olson, JCF Board Member Jeramy Sherwood

SHARE THIS:

Greater Joliet Area YMCA Mission Strong Fund Receives $10,000 Donation from CITGO Lemont Refinery

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 Y relies on the generosity of its members and the support of charitable giving to provide services and financial assistance for children, adults and families in Will County and Grundy County. 

That is why the YMCA would like to thank the CITGO Lemont Refinery, which recently provided a $10,000 donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, helping ensure that nobody is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

“Fulfilling the Y mission is not possible without the incredible support of local businesses like CITGO,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Executive Officer Katy Leclair. “CITGO continues to be a strong advocate for YMCA initiatives, and we are so inspired by their dedication to our community. We know that their gift will make a significant impact on the lives of the children and families we serve.,” 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. 

Pictured in top photo: (L-R)  Greater Joliet Area YMCA Director of Branch & Program Operations Lisa Behounek, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Mission Advancement Director Donnie Chestnutt, Galowich Family YMCA and Future Village of Shorewood YMCA Executive Director Trisha Dust,  CITGO Lemont Refinery Summer Intern Jimmy Holmes, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair, Operations Director for the Joliet Youth Development Team Brooke Hall, Greater Joliet Area YMCA Chief Business Development Officer Missy Durkin, CITGO Lemont Refinery Community Relations Advisor Mike Jostes, and CITGO Lemont Refinery Communications Advisor Brittany Borosak. 

SHARE THIS:

United Way