Giving — Page 6 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Support the YMCA on Giving Tuesday

December 3, 2024

We know that the true power of the Y lives in the hearts and actions of everyone who believes in our vision of a better us and a stronger community for all. Whenever we see a neighbor in need, the Y stands ready to help with open arms and caring hearts.

This year, we invite our supporters to join the #GivingTuesday movement by making a tax-deductible donation to the Y’s Mission Strong Fund. A gift of any amount will help to change the lives of people living right here in our community – your friends and neighbors.

DONATE NOW

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Find Your Reason to Give: Make a Donation to the Y During Our 12 Days of Giving Campaign

November 22, 2024

For nearly 100 years, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has worked hand-in-hand with our neighbors to bring about meaningful change in our community. As one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations, the Y is committed to strengthening our community by empowering young people, improving individual and community well-being, and inspiring residents of all ages to give back and connect with their neighbors.

At our three facilities in Joliet, Plainfield, and Morris, and at more than 50 program sites throughout our community, the Y is providing much-needed programs and services for children, families, and adults living in Will and Grundy Counties. Each and every day, kids of all ages are learning to swim and making new friends at summer camp and through our before and after school Kid Zone programs; teens are setting goals for their future while receiving college readiness and career training; seniors are becoming physically stronger and making connections; and families are staying active and spending quality time together.

To ensure that the Y’s mission can continue to thrive and help those in our community who need it most, we invite you to make a charitable gift to the YMCA’s 2024 Mission Strong Fund during our 12 Days of Giving Campaign, which begins today and will continue through Giving Tuesday on December 3.

Your gift this holiday season will help people living right here in our community – your friends and neighbors – and ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

DONATE TODAY

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2024 Heritage Club Celebration Honors Planned Giving to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA

October 15, 2024

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:

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Registration Underway for 2024 YMCA Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge

October 14, 2024

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.

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

September 24, 2024

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.

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