- YMCA Gala Cash Raffle Tickets Now On Sale
The 2025 YMCA Gala, generously presented by Midland States Bank, will be held on Saturday, February 22, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.Funds raised from this year’s event 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. Cash raffle tickets are now available!
Cash Raffle Tickets On Sale Now
This year’s Cash Raffle is generously sponsored by Grundy Bank.
3 amazing prizes are available: $2,000, $1,000 and $500
The winning tickets will be drawn during the YMCA Gala on February 22.
You can deposit your ticket stub by:
- Returning it to the person who sold you the ticket
- Mailing it to: Greater Joliet Area YMCA, Attn: YMCA Gala Cash Raffle, 749 Houbolt Rd, Joliet, IL 60431. Tickets must be received by 4 p.m. on February 21.
- Depositing it in the raffle drum at the YMCA Gala on February 22, 2025, at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook, IL
Winners are responsible for all applicable income taxes and must be at least 18 years old to enter. Prize must be claimed within 30 days of notification. Winners are subject to all raffle procedures, rules, regulations, directives, and state and local laws. Winner agrees by entering the raffle to authorize the release of his or her name and likeness for promotional purposes. According to the IRS, a raffle ticket is not tax deductible. Check with your financial advisor for additional information.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Limited sponsorship opportunities remain. Don’t miss out on your chance to support this amazing event!
For More Information
If you have questions about the 2025 YMCA Gala, please contact:
EVENT INFORMATION
Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Special Events Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (815) 782-0502SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Donnie Chestnutt
Mission Advancement Director
Email: dchestnutt@jolietymca.org
Phone: (815) 782-0800 - Happy Holidays to You: Give the Gift of the YMCA This Holiday Season
Guest article courtesy of YMCA of of the USA.Stumped for ideas for your family and friends this holiday season? Looking to do something creative and a bit unexpected this year? Take a break from the malls and online shopping sites and give your loved ones the gift of health, wellness, and community.
Whether your holiday shopping list includes a college-age nephew just starting his fitness journey, the sister who just discovered pickleball, or the grandmother who already has everything, there is––quite literally––something for everyone at the Y.
Here are five reasons why a Y membership makes the perfect holiday present.
- The gift of self-care? Priceless. Sometimes the best gift you can give your loved one is an opportunity to prioritize and take care of themselves––body, mind, and spirit. Finding balance in life can be difficult, but the Y can help, from stress-relieving yoga classes to complimentary childcare services so parents and caregivers can take time for themselves without having to find a sitter.
- Connection and belonging. A Y membership does more than just provide access to a gym. Through group activities, events, and volunteer opportunities, it also provides a space for real human interaction and social connection, leading to new friendships and a sense of belonging. It’s a supportive environment where you can find people who share similar interests, are encouraged to achieve your goals, and can feel accepted and valued for who you are.
- There’s something for everyone. Sports leagues, water aerobics, personal training, cooking classes, nutrition counseling––the Y offers all that and so much more. The wide variety of programs, classes, and amenities at the Y not only help support one’s physical and mental health, but they also encourage personal growth and, yes, provide opportunities for fun and creativity!
- It’s a gift that gives back. When you give the gift of a Y membership, you’re not only enriching the life of the recipient, but you are also impacting the lives of others. As the leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities, Y membership fees help provide scholarships to families in need, ensure kids receive nutritious snacks at after school programs, and create opportunities for everyone to connect and thrive. It’s an investment in people and communities, not corporations.
- Versatility is key. Memberships come in a variety of options—it depends on your local Y. They can be used to access welcoming facilities, pools, for specific programs, lessons, training, or classes, making it a thoughtful and flexible way to let your loved ones know you support their health and well-being. The possibilities are endless!
To give the gift of the YMCA, please visit the membership desk of your local Y branch today to purchase a gift card. Bonus coupons can be used towards YMCA memberships or programs and are valid at any Greater Joliet Area YMCA location.
- The Dream Starts Here: Greater Joliet Area YMCA Branches Set to Host Preliminary Round of Illinois YMCA Statewide 2-Ball Tournament
As part of the Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs dynamic collaboration with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA), the C.W. Avery Family YMCA, Galowich Family YMCA, and Morris Hospital YMCA will host preliminary rounds of the Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament on Sunday, January 26.
Under the statewide theme, “The Dream Starts Here,” this collaboration brings together the resources and expertise of YMCAs across Illinois, the IHSA, and the IESA to inspire a new generation of leaders and athletes by promoting participation in youth sports statewide. Additionally, the initiative encourages young people to consider jobs and volunteer opportunities at the Y where they can gain valuable skills and hands-on experience to pursue career pathways in sports-related fields like coaching, officiating, and sports administration.
EVENT DETAILS
The Illinois YMCAs Statewide 2-Ball Tournament is open to kids ages 7-14 and registration is underway! Teams of two will be able to “Shoot for State” by competing in a preliminary round hosted by a local YMCA.Boys and Girls Divisions will be available for each of the following age groups:
7-8 years
9-10 years
11-12 years
13-14 years
Host Sites:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
15120 Wallin Drive
Plainfield, IL 60544
Participants can register for one of four event time slots between 9 a.m.-Noon.
Joliet Junior College – Event Center
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431Event will run 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Participants will compete on a first come, first serve basis.
Morris Hospital YMCA
2200 W. Dupont Avenu
Morris, IL 60450Participants can register for one of four event time slots between 9 a.m.-Noon.
Cost: Free and open to the community
PLEASE NOTE: Registration is required for both team members.
HOW IT WORKS
During the qualifying round, each team will have 60 seconds to score as many points as possible, shooting from designated spots on the court. The top scoring team from each division will then have their score entered into the statewide contest to be compared to winners at other event sites.
The top two statewide scores from each girls division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Girls Basketball Tournament in Normal on March 8, 2025.
The top two statewide scores from each boys division will advance to compete in the 2-Ball finals during the championship weekend of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament in Champaign on March 15, 2025.
To learn more, please contact your local Y branch:
C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217Galowich Family YMCA
Zach Jarosz, Sports Manager
[email protected]
Phone: (815) 744-3939, ext. 317Morris Hospital YMCA
Chris Interial, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514 - 2024 Holiday Card Design Contest Winners
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA is proud to announce five winners for our 2024 Holiday Card Design Contest. These designs were selected from hundreds submitted to our branches and will be featured on the Y’s 2024 Holiday Cards. Thank you to all who participated! You can see the winning designs below.
Millan, Age 10
Mallaya, Age 10
Cali, Age 9
Joel, Age 9
Riley, Age 7
- Morris Hospital YMCA Now Open
We are so excited to welcome the community to our new facility! Stop by and see us!FACILITY LOCATION AND HOURS
2200 W. Dupont Avenue
Morris, IL 60450Monday-Friday: 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.You can also view printable schedules for the lap pool, gymnasium, and group fitness classes by clicking below.
Be sure to follow along with all the exciting opening day updates around the facility on our Facebook page!
REFER A FRIEND TO THE Y AND SAVE
And don’t forget, our Grand Opening Membership Sale is also underway!
New members who join the Morris Hospital YMCA by December 25 will pay a $0 Joiner’s Fee – a savings of up to $120!
YMCA Facility Members who refer a friend that joins the Y receive a free month of membership. (Some restrictions apply.)
C.W. Avery, Central City, Galowich, Morris
