Galowich — Page 2 — Greater Joliet Area YMCA

Registration Underway for 2024 YMCA Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge

October 14, 2024

Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge Starting November 11

Our 8-week Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge will help you get in shape and keep the weight off during the holiday season. We have a great plan to help you adopt healthy eating and exercise habits while saying ‘No’ to those tempting holiday cravings.

Are you up for the challenge?

If you can maintain your weight within 2 pounds for 8 weeks, you will receive a $20 YMCA credit that can be used towards any fitness program, including personal training. If you gain more than 2 pounds during this eight-week challenge, your fee will be donated in your name to the Y’s Mission Strong Fund.

There will be two mandatory weigh-ins:
Week 1 (some time between November 11 and November 22)
Week 8 (some time between January 2 and January 9)

There will also be optional weigh-in:
Week 4 (some time between December 2 and December 8)

As part of this fun-filled Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge, you will receive:

A one-of-a-kind YMCA Holiday Weight Maintenance Challenge T-shirt
Weekly emails with workout tips, healthy holiday recipes and special fitness challenges, designed specifically for challenge participants

Let’s have a little fun this holiday season. Together, we will help you celebrate the holiday season happy and healthy!

Registration is now open. Select your branch below and sign up today!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Community YMCA

Cost: $30

PLEASE NOTE: Registration closes on November 16.

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Spreading Holiday Cheer: Pack-the-Truck Christmas Toy Collection Drive

October 9, 2024

BENEFITTING TOYS FOR TOTS

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is teaming up with the United Parcel Service (UPS) and Star 96.7 to host a Christmas Toy Collection Drive to ensure every kid in our community has a toy to open this holiday season!

Help us make the holiday season a little brighter for families in need in our community by donating a new, unwrapped toy for a child, ages 17 and younger. We will also be collecting donations of gift wrap and bows.

This festive morning will include a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Star 96.7’s Midday Host Jillian Bass will be at the YMCA broadcasting live from 10 a.m.-Noon. Members of the Plainfield Fire Department, Plainfield Police Department, and United States Marine Corps will also be onsite to support this event.

Make your plans to join us!

Date: Saturday, November 2
Time: 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Location:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544

For more information about Toys For Tots in our area, click here.

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Building a Healthier Community: Save During the YMCA’s 2024 Fall Membership and Youth Basketball League Sales

October 3, 2024

Fall Membership Sale

New and alumni members who join the Y anytime between October 4-7 will pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120.

OUR FACILITY MEMBERS ENJOY ACCESS TO THREE BRANCHES
Your membership gives you unlimited use of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s three YMCA locations, including:

Two indoor pools and our family aquatic center, all fully programmed with activities for the entire family, including family swim time, swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and lap lane access.
Three wellness centers, all equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and strength equipment.
Free fitness orientations and daily group exercise classes (programs vary by location).

Quality Programming
In addition to our free group exercise classes, the Y offers year-round swim lessons, sports programs and personal training, among a slew of other options.

Child Care
If you have a Family Membership, you can drop your child(ren) off at our supervised playroom while you exercise.

Free Basic Access to the YMCA On the Go App
The YMCA On the Go App provides Y members with access to the YMCA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This new interactive tool is loaded with free workouts, on-demand videos, and nutrition tips.

Free Access to the My Y Rewards Program
Upon enrolling in the My Y Rewards Program, you’ll earn points each time you check-in, take a class, or refer a friend to the Y. In fact, from October 4-7, you’ll earn your first 150 points for simply enrolling in the program. You can then redeem your points for fun Y swag and program and membership credits.

So Much More
A complete list of member benefits can be found here.

THREE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Dr, Plainfield, IL 60544

Galowich Family YMCA
749 Houbolt Road, Joliet IL 60431

Morris Community YMCA*
320 Wauponsee St, Morris, IL 60450
*The future Morris Hospital YMCA will open on December 16. Early Bird Memberships are on sale now! Learn more here.

JOIN THE Y

Youth Basketball League Sale

Families can also save when registering for the upcoming YBL season between October 4-7! Use promo code YBLSALE2024 when registering online and save $10 per player.

To learn more about YBL in your area, or to register online, please click below.

Joliet

Plainfield

Morris/Coal City

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Celebrate Halloween at the YMCA

October 1, 2024

Prepare yourselves! This October, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has a series of spooky, Halloween-themed activities planned for you and your family. Join us for ‘Spook-tacular’ fun!

Galowich Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Monster Mash
Friday, October 18
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Kids need a break from your parents? No problem! Bring your friends and have a blast at the Y with our cool counselors on Friday night! Wear your favorite Halloween costume to celebrate a Monster Mash! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Cost: $15 for Facility Members/$30 for Community Members

Boo Bash
Friday, October 25
6-8 p.m.

Join us for a family friendly spooktacular Halloween event with fun activities, games, crafts, and candy! Don’t forget to wear your Halloween costume.

Cost: Free and open to the community.

The Y is also looking for businesses to participate in this event by hosting a table with a game, activity, or craft, as well as handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters. A table and chairs will be provided.

To learn more, please contact Youth and Family Director Tracy Wrase at [email protected] or (815) 744-3939, ext. 315.

Morris Community YMCA

Trunk-or-Treat
Saturday, October 26
10-11:30 a.m.

Location:
Morris Grade School
2001 Dupont Ave
Morris, IL 60450

It’s Halloween time and we’re having a bash! Wear your best costume and do a little Monster Dash! Come trunk or treat from the numerous trunks provided by local businesses.

Cost: Free and open to the community

If you would like to host a trunk during this event, please contact Youth and Family Director Jordan Overton at [email protected] or (815) 513-8080, ext. 513.

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Kids’ Night Out: Halloween Costume Party
Friday, October 25
6:30-9 p.m.

Join us for a variety of activities such as games, sports, movies, and arts & crafts. Be sure to wear your Halloween costumes! PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required at least 48 hours in advance.

Cost: $15 for Facility Members/$30 for Community Members

Halloween Spooktacular
Saturday, October 26
1-3 p.m.

Stop by the C.W. Avery Family YMCA for our exciting Halloween Spooktacular! We will have a Trunk-or-Treat with a haunted house as well as games, crafts, bounce houses, and more!

Cost: Free and open to the community

If you are interested in hosting a trunk, please contact Youth and Family Director Shannon Stawikowski at [email protected] or (815) 267-8600, ext. 212.

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Let Your Talent Shine: 2024 YMCA Holiday Card Design Contest

September 25, 2024

The YMCA’s Holiday Card Design Contest is back! Open to Y Members, ages 6-12, the contest is the perfect opportunity for kids to let their artistic talents shine and help spread a little cheer this upcoming holiday season.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Download an entry form and print it out. Entry forms are also available at the Y’s Front Desk.

2. Grab some crayons, markers and colored pencils and draw a picture that depicts your favorite things about the holidays and the winter season. From snowmen to Christmas trees, to candy canes and snowflakes, we can’t wait to see your original designs!

3. Complete the entry form and drop it off at the Y.

We will select our three favorite designs—one from each age group—to be featured on the Y’s holiday card.

Age Groups

Ages 6-7
Ages 8-9
Ages 10-12

Each of our winners will receive a YMCA Sweatshirt and other exciting prizes.

Download Entry Form

The deadline to enter is 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 7.

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Partnering with Joliet Junior College to Host Youth Basketball and Coaching Clinics

September 25, 2024

The YMCA is teaming up with Joliet Junior College (JJC) to prepare for the upcoming YBL season by hosting youth basketball clinics for kids of all ages, as well as a special coaches clinic. These FREE co-ed clinics will be taught by JJC’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Shaun Sanderson and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Danny Turner alongside members of their respective teams.

Youth Basketball Clinics

These sessions will focus on teaching young athletes the fundamentals of the game of basketball, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and ball handling.

Saturday, October 26
Grades 5-12
12:30-2 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Following the clinic on October 26, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on JJC during the annual women’s basketball Alumni game, which will begin at 3 p.m.

Saturday, November 16
Grades Pre-K-4
9-10:30 a.m.
REGISTER TODAY

Following the clinic on November 16, all participants and their families are invited to cheer on the JJC Women’s basketball team at 1 p.m.

Coaches Clinics

These sessions will provide coaches with an overview of skills, drills, practice schedules, and game strategies for the upcoming YMCA youth basketball season. Session topics will vary based on grade level, but coaches are welcome to participate in all sessions.

Saturday, December 7
Pre-K-Kindergarten: 9-10 a.m.
Grades 1-3: 10-11 a.m.
Grades 4-6: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Grades 7-12: 12:30-1:30 p.m.
REGISTER TODAY

All clinics will be held at the following location:
Joliet Junior College Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431

ABOUT COACH SANDERSON
As the winningest coach in the program’s history, Coach Sanderson has been at the helm of the JJC women’s basketball program for 17 seasons. Since becoming the head coach at JJC, Sanderson has helped more than 50 athletes extend their playing careers at four-year institutions and has coached 22 all-conference players, 23 all-region players, four All-Americans, and six Academic All-Americans.

ABOUT COACH TURNER
Coach Turner became the head men’s basketball coach at JJC in 2022, bringing more than 30 years of coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels to the Wolves program. Turner has also worked as an instructor at several high-profile camps in the Chicagoland area, including the Chicago Bulls Basketball Academy, Northwestern University, and DePaul University basketball camps.

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