Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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2026 YMCA Gala Slated for February 28

Sponsorship Opportunities Coming Soon

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA will host its annual Gala on Saturday, February 28, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Festivities for the Y’s marquee fundraising event, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will include dinner, silent and live auctions, exciting raffles, and entertainment.

As the YMCA prepares to celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2026, this unforgettable evening will help to kick off our Centennial Celebration, highlighting the Y’s enduring impact in our community and the generous donors who help bring our mission to life each and every day. Now in its 18th year, the YMCA Gala has raised more than $2 million to benefit children, adults, and families living in our community. Funds raised from the 2026 Gala will benefit the Y’s Mission Strong Fund, which helps to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

Tickets for the 2026 YMCA Gala will go on sale in January. Exciting sponsorship opportunities for the Gala will be available beginning October 14.

To learn about this year’s event, please contact:

EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: dchestnutt@jolietymca.org
Phone: (815) 782-0800

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2025 Golf Classic Raises Nearly $67,000 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 17 at ‘The Creek’ in Morris. It was truly a day to remember as a generous group of YMCA supporters helped raise nearly $67,000 at the annual outing. 

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 fourth year, the Mission Strong Golf Classic has raised more than $265,000 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.

The 2025 Mission Strong Golf Classic volunteer planning committee included: Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Whitney Valdivia, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, and Sarah Slomka provided staff support.

Our generous sponsors included:

Presenting Sponsor
Midland States Bank

Leading Sponsors
Narvick Bros. General Contracting/Construction Managers
Old National Bank

Titanium Sponsors
BMO Wealth Management
D’Arcy Chevrolet
Edward Jones
Endeavor Health
Grundy Bank
Hollywood Casino
Hope Bound Development Corporation-Housing Authority of Joliet
Joliet Bank & Trust, a Wintrust Bank
Joliet Junior College
L. DeGeus & Associates
Low Voltage Solutions
Turk Furniture
UChicago AdventHealth Bolingbrook 

Graphite Sponsors
DeBold Topsoil & Trucking
Hometown National Bank
Midwest Equipment Group
NorthPoint Development, LLC
Window World of Joliet

Golfer’s Choice Sponsors
Alida C. Bliss Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
Baish Excavating, Inc.
Chris and Suzy Brown
C and J Avery Family Foundation
Hamilton & Antonsen, Ltd.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Rieke Interiors
Dr. Theresa Rouse
Silver Cross Hospital
Testa Steel Constructor, Inc.
Voorn, Jaworski & Preston, PLLC

Exclusive Hole Sponsors
Associated Orthodontists
Busey Bank
“D” Construction, Inc.
Fidelity National Title
Kozol Bros., Inc./Miller Lite
Old Second Bank
Rod Baker Ford
Servpro

Hole Sponsors
Margie Bonuchi, Plainfield Village Trustee
Burks Bros. Drywall
The Butkus Family
Financial Plus Credit Union
JB Contracting Corp
Larson Engineering, Inc.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
PLZ Corp
Pursuit Wealth Group
Ron Tirapelli Ford
State Farm – Howard Wright
Young Company

In-Kind Support
Graphic Promotions, Inc.

We’re thrilled to announce that in 2026 the Y will celebrate its 100th Anniversary! We look forward to launching our Centennial Celebration at the YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 28, at Bolingbrook Golf Club. Be sure to mark your calendars as well for the 2026 Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will take place Monday, August 31, at Morris Country Club. To make a tax-deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here.

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Let Your Talent Shine: 2025 YMCA Holiday Card Design Contest

The YMCA’s Holiday Card Design Contest is back! Open to Y Members, ages 6-12, the contest is the perfect opportunity for kids to let their artistic talents shine and help spread a little cheer this upcoming holiday season.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Download an entry form and print it out. Entry forms are also available at the Y’s Front Desk.

2. Grab some crayons, markers and colored pencils and draw a picture that depicts your favorite things about the holidays and the winter season. From snowmen to Christmas trees, to candy canes and snowflakes, we can’t wait to see your original designs!

3. Complete the entry form and drop it off at the Y.

We will select our three favorite designs—one from each age group—to be featured on the Y’s holiday card.

Age Groups

  • Ages 6-7
  • Ages 8-9
  • Ages 10-12

Each of our winners will receive a YMCA Sweatshirt and other exciting prizes.

Download Entry Form

The deadline to enter is 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 6.

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YMCA Junior Wolves Program to Host Youth Basketball and Coaching Clinics

The YMCA’s Junior Wolves program is here to help youth basketball players and coaches prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting special clinics this fall! These FREE co-ed clinics will be taught by JJC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shaun Sanderson and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Danny Turner alongside members of their respective teams.

Youth Basketball Clinics

These sessions will focus on teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the game of basketball, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball handling.

Saturday, October 25
Grades 5-12
8:30-10 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Grades Pre-K-4
10:30 a.m.-Noon
REGISTER TODAY

Following, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on JJC during the annual women’s basketball Alumni game.

Coaches Clinic

These sessions will provide coaches with an overview of skills, drills, practice schedules, and game strategies for the upcoming YMCA youth basketball season. Session topics will vary based on grade level, but coaches are welcome to participate in all sessions.

Friday, December 5
6-7:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

All clinics will be held at the following location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431


ABOUT COACH SANDERSON
As the winningest coach in the program’s history, Coach Sanderson has been at the helm of the JJC women’s basketball program for 17 seasons. Since becoming the head coach at JJC, Sanderson has helped more than 50 athletes extend their playing careers at four-year institutions and was named the 2025 Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Collegiate Women’s NJCAA Division III Coach of the Year.

 

 

 

 

 

ABOUT COACH TURNER
Coach Turner became the head men’s basketball coach at JJC in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels to the Wolves program. Turner has also worked as an instructor at several high-profile camps in the Chicagoland area, including the Chicago Bulls Basketball Academy, Northwestern University, and DePaul University basketball camps.

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Celebrate Halloween at the YMCA

Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of spooky, Halloween-themed activities planned for you and your family. Join us for ‘Spook-tacular’ fun!

Galowich Family YMCA

Boo Bash
Friday, October 17
6-8 p.m.

Join us for our spooktacular family-friendly events with activities, games, candy, and more! These events are free and open to the community.

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 315.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 18
1-3 p.m.

Stop by the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular! We will have a Trunk-or-Treat as well as spooky activities, games, crafts, and more!

Cost: Free and open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director James Wagner at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 234.

Kids’ Night Out: Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree
Friday, October 24
6:30-9 p.m.

Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Be sure to wear your Halloween costumes! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Cost: $20 for Facility Members/$40 for Community Members

REGISTER TODAY

Morris Hospital YMCA

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 25
10-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450

Join us for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular with trunks decorated by local businesses and Morris Hospital!

Cost: Free and open to the community

REGISTER TODAY

If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513.

Joliet Community YMCA

Monster Mash
Saturday, October 25
1-3 p.m.

Location:
Salvation Army Community Center
300 E 3rd Avenue
Joliet, IL 60433

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more, please contact Youth and Family Manager Keyanna Montgomery [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 362.

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Joilet Community YMCA Set to Offer College Planning Workshop This October

YMCA Teen Achievers workshops are free and open to the community, providing area students with important resources they can use to prepare for life after high school. Next month the workshop topic will be:

Finding Free Money for College
Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
Room 2001
1215 Houbolt Road Joliet, IL 60431 

This workshop will include tips for starting your college search, identifying possible red flags in your school choice, finding scholarships, and completing scholarship applications. All attendees will have access to an array of scholarship options and find answers to other commonly asked questions. This event is primarily for high school juniors and seniors, but freshmen and sophomores are welcome to attend. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend as well. 

Facilitator: Kacey Helland, Teacher from the Plainfield South High School World Language Department

Kacey is a former YMCA Teen Achievers facilitator with more than a decade of teaching experience. She has earned degrees in Spanish, Secondary Education, and Educational Leadership, and is excited to help students on their educational journey. 

REGISTER TODAY

To learn more about this event, please contact:

Darrell Collins
Teen REACH & Teen Achievers Director
Phone: (815) 782-0828
Email: [email protected]

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United Way