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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.
