2025 YMCA GALA Nets More Than $295,000 For Mission Strong Fund

It was truly a night to remember as a sold out crowd of more than 500 supporters helped the Greater Joliet Area YMCA raise more than $295,000 at its 2025 Gala on Saturday, February 22, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening that included dinner, 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 2025 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 17th year, the Y’s signature fundraising event has raised more than $2 million to provide financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community.

At this year’s Gala, the Y presented the C.W. and J.L. Avery Philanthropic Award to Jackie Wohlwend in recognition of her family’s generous support of the Morris Hospital YMCA, which officially opened its doors to serve the community in December 2024.

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-$5,000. In total, “Raise the Paddle” contributions eclipsed 83,000 in support of the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund.

Erick Deshaun Dorris served as the evening’s volunteer auctioneer with assistance from Sounds Abound DJ Tony Ho. Nine exciting packages were sold during the live auction. Items included a weekend trip to New York City, donated by the Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors and Friends of the YMCA; a four-day getaway to a beautiful vacation home in Minocqua, Wisconsin, generously donated by Judy Avery; and a one-week stay at a waterfront home on Lake Michigan, generously donated by Michael and Susan Lee. The top-grossing items of the night were an in-home, six-course dinner party, generously donated by Tom Grotovsky and a weekend trip to Las Vegas to see Kenny Chesney in concert at The Sphere, generously donated by the Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors and Friends of the YMCA.

This year’s Gala volunteer planning committee members included: Madi Brown, Erica Garvey, Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Kari Ramirez, Whitney Valdivia, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, Eileen Scotchlas, and Sarah Slomka provided staff support.

Sponsors Included:

Presenting Sponsor
-Midland States Bank

Diamond Sponsor
-DIAGEO
-J. Russ and Company, Inc.
-Narvick Bros. General Contractors & Construction Managers

Ruby Sponsors
-Canadian National
-Old National Bank
-Pursuit Wealth Group
-Stockton Wealth Management

Emerald Sponsors
-Aux Sable Liquid Products/Pembina
-Blue Ribbon Products/Constellation Brands
-C. and J. Avery Family Foundation
-D’Arcy Buick GMC
-Edward Jones
-ExxonMobil
-Grundy Bank
-Guy and Jane Christensen
-Hometown National Bank
-Joliet Bank & Trust, A Wintrust Community Bank
-Joliet Junior College
-PFG Therapy
-Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, LLC
-Rod Baker Ford
-Rousonelos Lean Pork
-TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Sapphire Sponsors
-L DeGeus & Associates
-Lori Bonarek Realty
-Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
-Ron Tirapelli Ford
-Village Flower Shop
-The Ziegner-Orban Family

Pearl Sponsors
-Ascension Saint Joseph-Joliet
-Baish Excavating, Inc.
-Busey Bank
-ComED
-“D” Construction
-Dr. Theresa Rouse
-Joliet Bank & Trust, A Wintrust Community Bank
-R.L. Sohol General Contractor, Inc.
-Turk Furniture
-W Financial Services

Opal Sponsors
-ComEd
-Cuttin Edge Lawn to Landscaping, LLC
-Law Offices of John F. Argoudelis, LLC
-VNA Health Care

In-Kind Support
-Graphic Promotions, Inc.

Save the date and make your plans to join us for the next YMCA Gala, which will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026. We also invite you to participate in the 2025 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will be held on Wednesday, September 17. Foursomes for the YMCA’s fourth annual outing will go on sale this summer.

If you supported this year’s Gala and would like to expand the impact of your charitable contribution, we encourage you to explore a potential matching gift from your employer. To make a tax-deductible donation in support of the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, please click here.