The Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Holly, Jolly, Merry and Bright Celebrity Bartender event brought out the spirit of the holiday season as guests gathered to raise funds and awareness for the Y’s Teen Achievers Program.

Offered in five area high schools, Teen Achievers provides students with the guidance and support they need to discover their identities, embrace their passions, and become their best selves. Proceeds from the evening will go toward programming that includes weekly lifeskill workshops, as well as college visits geared toward helping students achieve their goals and develop as future leaders.

This week’s event would not have been possible without the help of our volunteer Celebrity Bartenders: Jay Bergman, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Dr. Diane Cepela, Natalie Coleman, Frank Costa, Val Devine, Bob Filotto, Lorraine Guerrero-Neumayer, Tom Hernandez, Mary Jaworski, Joe Kirkeeng, Nick Macris, Dr. Judy Mitchell, Jeff Pierson, Jim Roolf, Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith, Tricia Simpson, Adam Underhill, Greater Joliet Area YMCA CEO Jim Watts and Will County Board Speaker Denise Winfrey

Special thanks to the following individuals for their raffle donations in support of the program:

-Juan Caledron of Calderon Liquor

-Joliet City Councilwoman Bettye Gavin

-Susie Bornhofen of the Jacob Henry Mansion

-Galowich/Smith Advisory Council Member Karen James

-Dan Stevenson of Midland States Bank

To learn more about Teen Achievers, click here.