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:
