Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Member Spotlight

ro-web2Meet Ro Petersen

It’s never too late to hit the reset button. Ask Ro Petersen. Since adopting a new and healthy lifestyle, she has lost more than 50 percent of her body weight—dropping from 320 pounds to 155 pounds. Finding the strength to start fresh didn’t come easy. But, as Ro sees it, she had no other choice.

“I felt like I was probably going to die by the time I was 50,” said Ro, a 45-year-old teacher’s aide who lives in Morris. “And that scared me because it meant I wouldn’t see my son go to college. That’s when it all changed.”

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Parents Trust Us. Kids Love Us.

kz_webKidz Zone Registration is Now Underway!

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s Kidz Zone before and after school program serves kindergarten-fifth graders. Children do arts and crafts, play games, develop friendships and learn lessons that will last a lifetime.

The Y’s Kidz Zone program encourages positive behavior through character development activities and emphasize the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

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YMCA Giving Gala Raises $140,000 in Scholarship Funds

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With a sold-out crowd in attendance, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA hosted its ninth Giving Gala Feb. 27 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening that included dinner, live entertainment and opportunities to bid on an assortment of silent and live auction items. When the night ended, a grand total of $140,000 was raised in support of the Y’s scholarship fund.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been serving families, regardless of age, income or background, from throughout Will County and its surrounding areas for more than 85 years. Since its inception, the Giving Gala has raised more than $600,000 to benefit families within those communities, helping to ensure that that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

During the “Raise the Paddle” portion of the evening, guests were asked to support the expansion of the Y’s Teen Achievers Program—a grant-based program that guides students on their path to graduating high school, attending college and beyond. Program leader Maurice Fears and Teen Achiever-turned-college graduate Crystal Toran spoke eloquently about the program, resulting in nearly $18,000 of contributions.

Ten exciting packages were sold during the live auction, including a foursome of tickets to this summer’s Billy Joel concert at Wrigley Field, and a hockey stick signed by the 2015-16 Chicago Blackhawks. Among the other items was a two-week getaway to Hawaii that sold for $3,700, making it the highest-grossing item of the night.

For only $50, guests were invited to enter the Dream Vacation Raffle, giving them a chance to win an exclusive destination package without even lifting their bid paddles. The winner took home an all-inclusive trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, that included airfare for two and a five-night stay in an ocean view room at the Hyatt. Other options included trips to San Francisco, Calif., New Orleans, La., and Scottsdale, Ariz.

Local artist Shaun Hays, also known as the “Chicago Chalk Champ,” performed a large canvas chalk drawing as dinner got underway. In spectacular fashion, the Chalk Champ’s artwork was completed and auctioned off in a matter of minutes.

An elegantly decorated ballroom set the stage for the evening’s festivities, which included complimentary cocktails and a bountiful dinner. Throughout the evening, live entertainment was provided by Connie and Johnny Jazz Combo, as well as the Gold Coast Orchestra.

This year’s Giving Gala volunteer committee was co-chaired by Margie Bonuchi (Plainfield) and Greg Schaefer (Minooka). Committee members included: Fiona Alston (Oswego), Judy Avery (Plainfield), Kathy Blessent (Plainfield), Rob Epley (Plainfield), Kathy Kazmar (Plainfield), Maria Macris (Joliet), Nick Macris (Joliet), Victoria Matway (Plainfield), Mary Olson (Morris) Laurie Rambo (Crest Hill), Karen Rouse (Plainfield), Adam Underhill (Minooka), Marge Watts (Plainfield), Mike Wickkiser (Morris), Barb Ziegner (Joliet) and Kristin Ziegner (Joliet).

Sponsors of the 2016 Giving Gala included:

PLATINUM SPONSORS
Caterpillar, Inc.
Ron and Kathy Kazmar
Rousonelos Lean Pork Producer LLC
WeatherTech

BAR/COCKTAIL SPONSOR
Diageo

CASH RAFFLE SPONSOR
First Community Financial Bank

MOBILE BIDDING SPONSOR
CU Mobile Apps

DIAMOND SPONSORS
BMO Harris Bank
Central Steel and Wire
CITGO Lemont Refinery
Continental Audi of Naperville
D’Arcy Buick GMC
Edward-Elmhurst Health
Exxon Mobil
First Midwest Bank
Friedrich-Jones & Overman-Jones Funeral Homes & Cremation Services
Grundy Bank
Hawk of Joliet
Hometown National Bank
HopScotch & Vine
The Loose Tooth Pediatric Dentistry
Midland States Bank
Morris Community Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce
Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center
Rod Baker Ford
Springbank of Plainfield

BID PADDLE SPONSORS
Mahoney, Silverman & Cross Law Firm

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR
Edward Jones Office of Ryan Peterson
Edward Jones Office of Matt Schimanski
Edward Jones Office of MaryKay Hrdina

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS
Edward Jones Office of Ryan Peterson
Edward Jones Office of Matt Schimanski
Edward Jones Office of MaryKay Hrdina

PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR
Heartland Bank and Trust Company

SAVE THE DATE SPONSOR
Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC

APPETIZER SPONSOR
DeGeus & Associates, Inc.

GOLD SPONSORS
Mr. and Mrs. Roger Bonuchi
Coilplus Illinois
Lauren Freebern – COUNTRY Financial
Mr. and Mrs. James Maloney

SILVER SPONSORS
Ahoyt Family Dental
TCF Foundation

SPONSOR’S CHOICE
Barvian Realty
Representative Mark Batinick
Lucas, Thompson & Wise, LLC
MB Financial Bank
Park Place Office Suites
TMZ Plumbing, Inc.

PROGRAM BOOK SPONSORS
Andreasen Travel & Tours
Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home
Kevin Calder – Allstate
Nancy Calkins
Coffee News
Mayor Michael Collins, Village of Plainfield
Community Christian Church
Funk’s Trailer Sales, Inc.
Larry Hug, Joliet City Councilman
Dr. Robert A. Larson, Optometrist
Legal Shield
Lincolnshire Court
Bonnie Lutter
Mack & Associates PC
Laurie McPhillips for County Executive
Michael’s Pizza
Nabby’s
Plainfield Chiropractic
Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202
Plainfield Township Officials
Providence Bank
Service Industrial Supply, Inc.
Smith Associates Accounting, Jean Brannen CPA
Michelle Smith, Candidate for Illinois Senate
The Tomczak Law Group
Turf Team
Paul Wheeler, Attorney at Law
Wintrust Community Banks

IN-KIND SPONSORS
Graphic Promotions
Grundy County Chamber of Commerce
Herald News
Impact Outdoors
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Morris Herald News
New Lenox Chamber of Commerce
Shorewood Chamber of Commerce
Star 96.7 FM

The tenth annual Giving Gala will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2017. For more information about the Giving Gala or if you’re interested in joining the Giving Gala Planning Committee, please contact the Y at (815) 729-9638.

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Get Your Game On

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

spcpYouth Soccer League

Players will learn the fundamentals of soccer through weekly practices and games. Practices begin in early May. Games will be played on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings starting on May 27. All players receive a team t-shirt.

League Divisions

  • Preschool/Kindergarten
  • Grades 1-2
  • Grades 3-4
  • Grades 5-6

Register Online

Youth Baseball League

Players will learn and develop baseball skills such as throwing, hitting, catching and fielding. Practices begin in early May. Games will be played on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings starting on May 27. All players receive a team t-shirt.

League Divisions

  • T-Ball League: Preschool/Kindergarten
  • Coach Pitch League: Grades 1-2
  • Player Pitch Leagues: Grades 3-4, Grades 5-6

Register Online

Registration Fees:

Through March 31

  • $70 for Full Members
  • $140 for Program Members

April 1-April 17

  • $80 for Full Members
  • $160 for Program Members

After April 17

  • $90 for Full Members
  • $180 for Program Members

Galowich & Smith Family YMCAs

scpn2Youth Soccer League

Players will learn the fundamentals of soccer through weekly practices and games. Practices will be played on weekday evenings beginning in late April. Games will be held on Saturday mornings starting in May. All players receive a team t-shirt.

League Divisions

  • Preschool/Kindergarten
  • Grades 1-2
  • Grades 3-4

Register Online

Registration Fees:

Through March 31

  • $45 for Full Members
  • $90 for Program Members
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10 Years Strong

Celebrating One Decade at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA

This year marks the tenth anniversary of  the C.W. Avery Family YMCA! On February 4, 2006, the Y officially opened its doors to the Plainfield community. The rest is history.

Join us as we take a look back and reminisce over an unforgettable decade!

SHOWING OUR APPRECIATION
As a part of our celebration, 1,000 members (ages 18 and up) will take home a free protein shaker if they stop by the Y on February 4! While supplies last.

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Ignite Your Passion

Morris YMCA Debuts Brand New Fitness Space

The Morris Community YMCA’s Power Center is the new home for all of your strength training needs! Located on our lower level, this space features brand-new state-of-the-art equipment that will help you conquer and achieve your fitness goals in 2016 and beyond. With the addition of more free weights, a functional trainer and a weighted cable unit, the Power Center will provide our members with better opportunities for interval training and additional small group exercise classes.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Functional Trainer Cable Unit: Great for general strength training and muscular endurance, this unit’s dual weight stacks provide fully independent motion and asymmetrical loads for single users; or they can serve as individual stations, so two people can work out at once.

SYNRGY360: This groundbreaking machine includes kettle bells, slam balls, battle ropes, resistance bands, a pull-up bar, a dip bar, a step-up platform and more. Set to be the focal point of SYNRGY360 Boot Camp, this machine will also benefit those in Sports Specific Performance Training, small group training and functional training.

SPARC Trainer: SPARC’s intuitive “get on and go” design invites all users to simply choose incline and intensity levels, then reach their fitness goals in record time. Set to be used for HIIT Training, small group training and Sport Specific Performance Training, this machine will help you lose fat, build muscle and gain strength.

Power Cage: A prime location to perform free weight exercises like squats and deadlifts, the Power Cage will be utilized heavily for Sport Specific Performance Training and small group training. 

Free Weight Barbell Rack: Holds between 20 and 100 pounds of pre-selected barbells.

(6) TRX Suspension Trainers: This all-in-one, total-body workout system will be used for our TRX Suspension & Ropes class, which will be held on Thursday evenings starting in 2016.

For more information, please contact Health & Wellness Director Ian Stewart via email at [email protected] or by phone at (815) 513-8080, ext. 514.

Photos courtesy of Cybex (www.cybexintl.com)

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