Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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2024 Golf Classic Raises More Than $72,000 for YMCA Mission Strong Fund

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA was proud to kickstart an impactful fall during our annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which was held on Wednesday, September 18 at ‘The Creek’ in Morris. It was truly a day to remember as an inspired and generous group of YMCA supporters helped raise more than $72,000 at the sold-out event. 

Funds raised from the outing, which was generously presented by Midland States Bank, 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. Now in its third year, the Mission Strong Golf Classic has raised more than $200,000 to provide financial assistance for children, adults, and families living in our community. 

Golfers enjoyed lunch, 18 holes of golf, on-course games, and an evening program that included a cocktail reception, dinner, and exciting raffles. Participants also had the opportunity to learn more about the Y’s mission and pledge their support by making a charitable donation to the Y’s scholarship program through our ‘Clear the Pond’ fundraiser, which raised nearly $10,000 at this year’s outing. 

The 2024 Mission Strong Golf Classic volunteer planning committee included: Madi Brown, Maria Macris, Kristin Orban, Whitney Valdivia, and Barb Ziegner. Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, and Erin Lightbody provided staff support.

Our generous sponsors included:

Presenting Sponsor
Midland States Bank

Leading Sponsors
Narvick Bros.
Old National Bank

Titanium Sponsors
Guy and Jan Christensen
D’Arcy Motors
Edward Jones
Grundy Bank
Hamilton & Antonsen, Ltd
Hollywood Casino Joliet
Hope Bound Development Corporation – Housing Authority of Joliet
Joliet Bank & Trust, A Branch of Old Plank Community Bank, N.A. A Wintrust Community Bank
Low Voltage Solutions, Inc.
Testa Steel Constructors, Inc.
T R Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing

Graphite Sponsors
Ascension Saint Joseph – Joliet
Edward Jones
Midwest Equipment Group

Golfer’s Choice Sponsors
Baish Excavating
Suzy and Chris Brown
C and J Avery Family Foundation
Cintas
Concrete by Wagner, Inc.
ExxonMobil – Joliet Refinery
Law Offices of John F. Argoudelis, LLC
L. DeGeus & Associates, Inc.
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Ron Tirapelli Ford
Dr. Theresa Rouse
Silver Cross Hospital
Valley Fire Protection Systems, LLC

Exclusive Hole Sponsors
Associated Orthodontists
“D” Construction, Inc.
Old Second Bank
Ozinga
Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
Window World of Joliet
Young Company

Hole Sponsors
Margie Bonuchi, Plainfield Village Trustee
Burks Bros. Drywall, Inc.
The Butkus Family
Conley Excavating & Construction
DesignGroup
Elliott Electric Supply
Financial Plus Credit Union
Gene May Heating & Cooling
Hometown National Bank
Hospitality Guru Group
JB Contracting Corp
Ron & Kathy Kazmar, Proud Supporters of the YMCA
Kozol Bros., Inc.
Larson Engineering, Inc.
Lori Bonarek Realty
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
Northfield Block Co. an Oldcastle Company
PLZ Corp
SERVPRO of Joliet
Sparkle Laundromat
Speedway Auto Parts
State Farm – Howard Wright
Turk Furniture

In-Kind Support
Graphic Promotions, Inc.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2025 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will be held on Wednesday, September 17, in Morris. To make a tax-deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, please click here.

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Inspire, Educate, Motivate: Become a Volunteer YBL Coach

Calling all parents, leaders, mentors and basketball enthusiasts! We have a unique opportunity for you. The YMCA is in need of volunteer coaches for the upcoming Youth Basketball League (YBL) season. For a couple hours each week, we’re looking for someone who can:

  • Instill positive values
  • Teach the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship
  • Promote the benefits of physical activity
  • Lead, encourage and have fun at the time

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer head coach or assistant coach, complete the online volunteer application by clicking below.

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

The Y supports our volunteer coaches by providing the following resources:

  • Practice time and location
  • Practice site set-up, practice equipment and storage
  • Practice outlines
  • Staff supervision at all practices/games (Supervising staff is certified in CPR and First-Aid)
  • Instructional staff support at practices if requested
  • Team Sideline Benefits
    -Game schedule
    -Practice schedule
    -Picture day schedule
    -Game and practice reminders as well as any alerts to changes in the schedule will be sent directly from the YMCA to coaches/parents
  • Free volunteer coach shirt
  • Free coach plaque (Head Coach)/team picture (Assistant Coaches), one free coach/player picture
  • Hand whistles for practices
  • Game rules

To learn more, please contact your local Y brach:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA
Maria Freeh, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 267-8600, ext. 217

Galowich Family YMCA
Jaclyn Aul, Camp and Sports Manager
[email protected]
(815) 744-3939, ext. 317

Morris Community YMCA
Chris Interial, Sports Director
[email protected]
(815) 513-8080, ext. 514

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Welcome to #YMCATok – The Y is Now on TikTok

The Y is excited to announce that we are now on TikTok! Stay connected to the YMCA community by following our page below:

FOLLOW NOW

And don’t forget to let us know what you think! We encourage you to collaborate! Make sure to tag us @jolietymca when visiting the Y!

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Belonging Begins With Us: Celebrate Welcoming Week at the YMCA

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA will be joining YMCAs across the country to celebrate Welcoming Week from September 13-22! Welcoming Week, an initiative of Y-USA’s national partner Welcoming America, elevates the growing movement of communities that fully embrace new Americans and their contributions to the social fabric of our country. This week-long celebration is an opportunity for neighbors – both immigrants and US-born residents – to get to know one another and celebrate what unites us as a community.

This week, when you visit your local Y branch, you’ll be able to participate in fun activities that will get you in to the spirit of Welcome Week.

EXPAND YOUR WORLD

Members will be invited to participate in nine fun and easy activities to expand their perspectives and make our community a more welcoming place for all. You can grab an activity card by visiting the Membership Desk or download a card today by clicking below. How many can you accomplish during the week?

Welcome Week Activity Card

BRINGING PEOPLE CLOSER 

Members will have the opportunity to pin their country of origin on a map located in the lobby. We are so excited to display a worldwide community throughout the week!

LEARN, GROW, THRIVE

Kid Zone sites will help celebrate YMCA Welcoming Week with group readings of ‘Stand in My Shoes’ by Bob Sornson. This short story will help children understand the importance of empathy when interacting with others.

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YMCA Staff Spotlight: Joe Miraglia’s Story

The YMCA community encompasses a wide range of amazing people with a passion for public service, including many veterans who have served in the armed forces. Among this group of veterans is Y staff member Joe Miraglia – a.k.a. ‘Mr. Joe’ – who had the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. earlier this summer.

“It was such a whirlwind. Time flew by so fast. The day started at four in the morning and we had 114 veterans on the trip,” he said.

Joe, a veteran of the United States Air Force, said that the experience covered an array of monuments and memorials.

“We started with the World War II Memorial and then we stopped by the Vietnam Memorial. We also got a tour of the National Air and Space Museum,” he said. “The support staff during the flight and trip were amazing.”

And when Joe returned home, a pleasant surprise was waiting for him at the airport. 

“There were hundreds of people in the crowd, and as I was walking through to the end of the line, there were all my Y people. I was shocked to see so many,” he said. 

A group of nearly two dozen YMCA members and staff had gathered to welcome Joe back to Illinois. 

“Joe has been a Y member for more than 15 years and, in addition to being one of our most dedicated Fab 50 participants, he has also made a positive impact as a member of our youth and family staff team since 2021,” Director of Branch Operations Lisa Behounek said. “We wanted to show our appreciation for his service and help make the day a true celebration.”

Joe said he is excited to continue his work as a birthday party attendant, participate in YMCA water aerobics classes, and stay connected with the other members of the Fab 50 social group. 

“I have a lot of fun at the Y and over the years I’ve made a lot of friends. Everybody is so helpful and friendly,” he said.

On behalf of the Y, we’d like to thank Joe for his service to our country. We are so grateful to have him as a member of our YMCA family!

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Charter Memberships On Sale Now for the New Morris Hospital YMCA

Demonstrate your support for the Y’s mission in Grundy County by becoming a Charter Member of the new Morris Hospital YMCA. Located just west of Morris Grade School on Dupont Avenue, our new 60,000-square-foot YMCA facility is scheduled to open in early 2025. 

As a Charter Member, you’ll enjoy unparalleled benefits, special perks, and a front-row seat to our grand opening:

PRIORITY ACCESS IN DECEMBER 2024
Charter Members will be among the first to experience our new state-of-the-art facility and innovative programs.

COMMEMORATIVE GIFTS
Charter Members will receive a welcome kit packed with exciting one-of-a-kind YMCA gear and grand opening gifts.

EXCLUSIVE EVENTS
Charter Members will be invited to an exclusive preview event during our Grand Opening week in December.

RECOGNITION ON DONOR SIGNAGE
The everlasting legacy of each Charter Member will also be honored on a permanent donor sign, displayed within the new building.

SPECIAL SAVINGS AVAILABLE FOR CURRENT YMCA MEMBERS
Stop by the Morris Community YMCA or contact Membership Operations Director Michele Claysen at (815) 744-3939 ext. 305 or via email at [email protected] to learn more about these savings!

PLEDGE YOUR SUPPORT TODAY!
To become a Charter Member, please click below:

PURCHASE A CHARTER MEMBERSHIP

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