Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Support the YMCA on Giving Tuesday

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.

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

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.

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 would not be possible without the support of our generous donors.

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

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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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

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Sponsorships For The 2024 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic On Sale Now

Sponsorship opportunities for the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s third annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at ‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club, are now available. Proceeds from this year’s golf outing, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will benefit the Y’s Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, the success of all YMCA fundraising events rely heavily upon the generosity of area businesses and individuals through sponsorships. Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $250 to $5,000, with corresponding benefits are available. Presenting, leading, titanium, and graphite level sponsors are invited to purchase additional foursomes for this year’s outing before they go on sale to the general public on July 15, 2024. Dinner tickets for the 2024 Mission Strong Golf Classic are also available for $50.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN US

Third Annual YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic
Wednesday, September 18

Lunch – 11 a.m.
Shotgun Start – Noon

‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club
Morris, IL

Your day will include:

  • 18 holes of golf with a cart
  • Lunch and complimentary beverages on the course
  • A cocktail reception, dinner, and awards
  • A welcome gift, course games, prizes, raffles, and more

Cost: $700 per foursome or $175 for an individual golfer, $50 for dinner reception only

*Foursomes and dinner tickets will go on sale at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 15.

To learn more about the 2024 Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0800

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

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2024 YMCA GALA Nets More Than $250,000 For Mission Strong Fund

It was truly a night to remember as an inspired and generous room of more than 450 supporters helped the Greater Joliet Area YMCA raise more than $250,000 at the 2024 YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 24, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening that included dinner, live entertainment, and the opportunity to bid on exciting silent and live auction items. Funds raised from this year’s record-setting Gala 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. 

Generously presented by Midland States Bank, the 2024 YMCA Gala celebrated charitable giving at the YMCA by showcasing the Y’s impact throughout the community and the generous donors who make its mission come to life each and every day. Now in its 16th year, the Y’s signature fundraising event has raised more than $1.65 million to provide financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community. 

At this year’s Gala, the Y presented the inaugural William R. Lauer Service to Youth Award to Bill Lauer in recognition of his more than 60 years of inspiring service to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA and the youth in our community. Because of Bill’s amazing contributions, tens of thousands of kids in our community have had the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive at the YMCA. Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair also announced the establishment of the William R. Lauer Endowment Fund, which will help provide continued financial assistance to Y kids for years to come. To support this newly established Fund, visit our online giving portal and select ‘William R. Lauer Endowment Fund’ from the ‘Designation’ dropdown menu when making your donation. 

During the “Raise the Paddle” portion of the evening, the Y’s mission was brought to life by showcasing a YMCA story of impact. Guests generously raised their paddles in an auction-style format with individual contributions ranging from $50-$10,000. In total, “Raise the Paddle” contributions eclipsed $100,000 in support of the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund.

Danielle Tufano served as the evening’s volunteer auctioneer and nine exciting packages were sold during the live auction. Items included an in-home, six–course dinner party, generously donated by Tom Grotovsky; a weekend trip to Nashville with two tickets to the Country Music Hall of Fame and a bottle of George Dickel 17-Year-Old Reserve Tennessee Whisky, generously donated by the Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors, Diageo, and Friends of the YMCA; and a complete collection of Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey, generously donated by Westside Liquors. The top-grossing item of the night was a two-week getaway to Hawaii, generously donated by Fred and Maria Bliznik.

This year’s Gala volunteer planning committee members included: Kathy Blessent, Madi Brown, Erica Garvey, Mary Jaworski, Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Kari Ramirez, Whitney Valdivia, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Trisha Dust, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, and Erin Lightbody provided staff support. 

Sponsors Included:

Presenting Sponsor
-Midland States Bank

Diamond Sponsor
-DIAGEO

Ruby Sponsors
-Edward Jones
-Narvick Bros. 
-Old National Bank

Emerald Sponsors
-Aux Sable/Pembina
-Blue Ribbon Products/Constellation Brands
-C. and J. Avery Family Foundation
-Canadian National
-D’Arcy Buick GMC
-Endeavor Health
-ExxonMobil
-Grundy Bank
-Gus P. Rousonelos
-Joliet Bank & Trust, A branch of Old Plank Trail Community Bank NA, A Wintrust Community Bank
-Joliet Junior College
-Old National Bank
-Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
-Pursuit Wealth Group
-Stockton Wealth Management

Sapphire Sponsors
-Hometown National Bank
-Lori Bonarek Realty
-Old National Bank
-The Ziegner-Orban Family

Pearl Sponsors
–Busey Bank
-“D” Construction
-Dr. Theresa Rouse
-Joliet Bank & Trust, A branch of Old Plank Trail Community Bank NA, A Wintrust Community Bank -DesignGroup
-Merchants and Manufacturers Bank
-R.L. Sohol General Contractor, Inc.
-Ron Tirapelli Ford
-Village Flower Shop

Opal Sponsors
-Ascension Saint Joseph – Joliet
-Cuttin Edge Lawn to Landscape
-Law Offices of John F. Argoudelis, LLC
-Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers

In-Kind Support
-Graphic Promotions, Inc.
-Grundy County Chamber of Commerce
-Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
-Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce

Save the date and make your plans to join us for the next YMCA Gala, which will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025. We also invite you to participate in the 2024 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will be held on Wednesday, September 18. Foursomes for the YMCA’s third annual outing will go on sale this summer.

To make a tax-deductible donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, please click here.

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