Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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2025 YMCA Gala Slated for February 22

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2025 YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 22, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. This elegant evening, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will celebrate charitable giving at the YMCA by showcasing the Y’s impact in our community and the generous donors, like you, who help to make our mission come to life each and every day.

Now in its 17th year, the Gala has raised nearly $1.8 million to benefit families living in our community. Funds raised from our 2025 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.

Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $100 to $15,000, with corresponding benefits are now on sale!
You can purchase a sponsorship by visiting our Event Headquarters.

Tickets for the 2025 YMCA Gala will go on sale in January.

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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YMCA Announces Partnership with Village of Shorewood to Build New Facility

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA announced today that it will be embarking on an exciting journey in partnership with the Village of Shorewood to build a new state-of-the-art YMCA facility on Route 52 in Shorewood. Construction of the new YMCA facility will begin later this year and is expected to open to the community in 2026.

Located along the thriving Route 52 corridor on land near the Village Hall, the new 60,000-square-foot YMCA facility will feature a wellness center, gymnasium, an eight-lane lap pool, group exercise studios, community rooms, and outdoor spaces for summer camps and youth sports programs. Upon opening, the new facility will also serve as the home for the Y’s Regional Office, which provides support and leadership to all YMCA branches and program sites in Will and Grundy Counties.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Village of Shorewood to grow our mission in Will County,” said Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair. “Through this innovative partnership, we will work together to build a thriving community center that will provide YMCA members and residents living in Shorewood and the greater Joliet area with access to health and wellness and recreational programming in a welcoming and contemporary space,” added Leclair.

“The Village of Shorewood is very excited to partner with the YMCA to build a new state-of-the-art recreational facility in our community,” said Shorewood Village Mayor Clarence “CC” DeBold. “The YMCA is a well-respected organization with a strong family focus and a long history of serving the residents of Will County, making it a great partner for the Village of Shorewood. This will be a wonderful amenity for our residents and the community,” added DeBold.

As one of the nation’s leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the Y is committed to strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. For more than 95 years, the YMCA has provided much-needed programs and services for children, adults, and families living in Will and Grundy Counties. At its three facilities in Joliet, Plainfield, and Morris, and at more than 50 program sites located throughout our community, the Y serves residents of all ages through its before and after school, summer camp, aquatics, youth and adult sports, and health and wellness programs. Through its financial assistance and scholarship program, the YMCA works to ensure that its programs are available to everyone and no one is turned away due to the inability to pay. In 2023, the Y provided more than $900,000 in financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community.

Construction of the new YMCA facility in Shorewood is expected to begin later this year. While the new YMCA facility is under construction, the Galowich Family YMCA, which is located just four miles east of where the new facility will be built, will remain open to serve YMCA members and the community. When the new YMCA opens in Shorewood, the Galowich Family YMCA will be retired and the facility and land will be sold.

“To meet the needs of the greater Joliet community and to ensure the long-term sustainability of our YMCA, we must continue to provide our members and the community with innovative and state-of-the-art facilities,” said Leclair. “Although we are sad to be retiring the Galowich Family YMCA building, we are excited to write the next chapter of the Y’s storied history in our community as we continue to provide much-needed youth development programs at more than 50 community-based sites throughout the greater Joliet area,” added Leclair.

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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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2024 YMCA Gala Silent Auction Bidding Now Open

The 2024 YMCA Gala will be held on Saturday at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Since its inception, the Y’s signature fundraising event has raised more than $1.4 million to benefit families within our community. Even if you won’t be attending this year’s event, you can still support the YMCA by bidding on items in our Silent Auction. Proceeds from the YMCA Gala will benefit the Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

Bidding is Now OPEN!

To explore this year’s Silent Auction and begin placing your bids, please visit our Event Headquarters by clicking below. To register, please click the ‘Log In’ button in the upper right corner, and add your e-mail address and payment information. After completing the registration process, you will receive an email that provides you with a link to our Mobile Bidding site and your bid number. Upon visiting our Mobile Bidding site, you will be able to begin bidding on items in our highly anticipated Silent Auction. Winning bidders who are not in attendance can pick up their auction items at their local Y branch the week of February 26.

YMCA GALA HEADQUARTERS

PLEASE NOTE: If you are attending this year’s Gala, you should have already received an email with a registration link to your personal bidder number. If you haven’t already received this welcome email, please contact Volunteer and Community Engagement Director Dori Fugate at [email protected].

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Tickets Now On Sale for the 2024 YMCA Gala

The 2024 YMCA Gala, generously presented by Midland States Bank, will be held on Saturday, February 24, 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 $1.5 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.

PURCHASE GALA TICKETS TODAY

To learn more about remaining sponsorship opportunities, or to purchase a YMCA Gala cash raffle ticket, visit our event headquarters.

If you have questions about the 2024 YMCA Gala, please contact:

Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Community Engagement Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 210

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2024 YMCA Gala Slated for February 24

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 2024 YMCA Gala on Saturday, February 24, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. This elegant evening, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will celebrate charitable giving at the YMCA by showcasing the Y’s impact in our community and the generous donors, like you, who help to make our mission come to life each and every day.

Now in its 16th year, the Gala has raised nearly $1.5 million to benefit families living in our community. Funds raised from this year’s event 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.

Exciting sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $100 to $15,000, with corresponding benefits are on sale now.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Tickets for the 2024 YMCA Gala will go on sale in January. To learn about this year’s event, please visit our Event Headquarters or contact:

Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Community Engagement Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 210

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