Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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Find Your Reason to Give: Make a Donation to the Y During Our 12 Days of Giving Celebration

For more than 95 years, the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has worked hand-in-hand with our neighbors to bring about meaningful change in our community. As one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations, the Y is committed to strengthening our community by empowering young people, improving individual and community well-being, and inspiring residents of all ages to give back and connect with their neighbors.

At our three facilities in Joliet, Plainfield, and Morris, and at more than 50 program sites throughout our community, the Y is providing much-needed programs and services for children, families, and adults living in Will and Grundy Counties. Each and every day, kids of all ages are learning to swim and making new friends at summer camp and through our before and after school Kid Zone programs; teens are setting goals for their future while receiving college readiness and career training; seniors are becoming physically stronger and making connections once again; and families are staying active and spending quality time together.

We know that the true power of the Y lives in the hearts and actions of everyone who believes in our vision of a better us and a stronger community for all. Whenever we see a neighbor in need, the Y stands ready to help with open arms and caring hearts. This would not be possible without the support of generous donors.

To ensure that the Y’s mission can continue to thrive and help those in our community who need it most, we invite you to make a charitable gift to the YMCA’s 2023 Mission Strong Fund during our 12 Days of Giving Celebration, which is now underway and will continue through Giving Tuesday on November 28.

Your gift will help people living right here in our community – your friends and neighbors – and ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

DONATE TODAY

You can also stay up to date on this year’s 12 Days of Giving Celebration by liking your local YMCA Facebook Page:

C.W. Avery Family YMCA

Galowich Family YMCA

Morris Community YMCA

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Greater Joliet Area YMCA Staff and Volunteers Hold Beam Signing Ceremony at Future Site of Morris Hospital YMCA

Volunteer and staff leaders from the Greater Joliet Area YMCA and Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers gathered at the future site of the Morris Hospital YMCA for a special beam signing ceremony on Monday, October 16. 

YMCA Chief Operating Officer Missy Durkin kicked off the event by welcoming guests and introducing YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair. Leclair offered an invocation and expressed gratitude for the dedication and service from all those involved with the project and invited Morris Hospital and Healthcare Centers President and CEO Tom Dohm to speak about the importance of the Hospital’s partnership with the Y. 

Dohm noted the common vision both organizations share to promote healthy living for residents of all ages in Morris and Grundy County, and spoke about the exciting opportunities that lie ahead to expand programs and services to the community when the new facility opens.

Dohm then introduced Grundy Bank President and CEO and Morris Community YMCA Council Chairman Kevin Olson, who thanked government officials across federal, state, and local levels for their continued support of the project.

Olson introduced 16th U.S. District Representative Darin LaHood, who spoke about including the Morris Hospital YMCA in his 2024 Community Project Funding requests; 38th District Illinois State Senator Sue Rezin, who discussed the impact of securing funding from the state of Illinois; and City of Morris Mayor Chris Brown, who expressed the community’s unwavering support of its $2 million investment in the facility. 

YMCA Board of Directors Chairman Guy Christensen then concluded the program by recognizing the incredible work of the Morris Community YMCA Capital Campaign Leadership Cabinet, whose extensive efforts to raise awareness and funds for the new building have allowed the dream to build a full-facility YMCA in Grundy County to become a reality. Christensen then invited all those in attendance to ceremoniously autograph their name on a steel beam that will be placed in the heart of the new facility, which is expected to open to the community in early 2025.

To learn more about the future Morris Hospital YMCA or to make a donation to the Capital Campaign, please visit the Morris Community YMCA Capital Campaign homepage today.

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2023 Heritage Club Celebration Honors Planned Giving to the Greater Joliet Area YMCA

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The Greater Joliet Area YMCA hosted its 2023 Heritage Club Dinner at Mistwood Golf Club on Thursday, September 28. Held annually, this evening celebrates charitable giving at the YMCA and recognizes those donors who have chosen to make a legacy gift to the YMCA.

Heritage Club membership is granted to those individuals who have included a gift for the YMCA in their will or estate plans. Many Heritage Club members have also generously established a named endowment fund or supported the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, which helps to ensure that no one is turned away from the Y due to the inability to pay.

Message of Thanks

The evening began with Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board of Directors Chairman Guy Christensen welcoming those in attendance and thanking them for their continued support of the Y’s mission. Christensen then invited Endowment Development Committee Volunteer Jackie Bersano to offer an invocation. Bersano then welcomed Endowment Development Committee Chairman Susan Lee to the podium to introduce vocalists Jeff and Michelle Ray and pianist Victor Moreno, who provided the evening’s entertainment.

Celebration of Charitable Giving

Following dinner, Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair reflected on the incredible support the Y continues to receive from the community.  She recognized the YMCA’s past donors, volunteers, and employees whose foresight and vision laid the groundwork to help to shape what the YMCA is today. Leclair reiterated that the same passion and forward thinking mentality must continue to guide YMCA programs and services in our community.

Grundy Bank President and CEO and Morris Community YMCA Council Chairman Kevin Olson then stepped to the podium to speak about the Grundy Bank/Ron Wohlwend Endowment Fund, which was recently established to honor Wohlwend’s legacy and commitment to community. He noted that Wolhwend, who served as honorary chairman of the Morris YMCA’s Capital Campaign before his passing in the spring of 2021, would be extremely proud to know the future Morris Hospital YMCA is now under construction, with an anticipated opening in early 2025.

Leclair then introduced Galowich Family YMCA member Dawn Vlaicevic, who spoke about the impact of YMCA programs on her family. Vlaicevic shared her grandson Jaxson’s experience in the Y’s Summer Day Camp and Before and After School Kid Zone programs, crediting the Y’s diverse and supportive environment for helping his development. She also expressed gratitude for the YMCA’s financial assistance program and the invaluable resources that Y families are provided through the YMCA Mission Strong Fund.

An Invitation for Impact  

Endowment Development Committee Volunteer Donna Zanzola closed the celebration by expressing the Y’s appreciation for those donors who have generously made legacy gifts to the Y over the years. The YMCA’s doors continue to expand with open arms and it is through gifts like those provided by Heritage Club members that make this possible.

To learn more about Heritage Club membership and the Y’s endowment fund, please visit: https://www.jolietymca.org/giving/planned-giving/

 

 

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C.W. Avery Family YMCA Advisory Council Set to Host Celebrity Bartender Event on October 19

The C.W. Avery Family YMCA’s Advisory Council is excited to host a special Celebrity Bartender Event! Join us as we raise awareness and funds for the YMCA Mission Strong Fund. All tips and 10 percent of food, drink and carry-out sales during the event will benefit the Y. Stop by to see some of your favorite Y friends and support a great cause!

Date:
Thursday, October 19

Time:
6-9 p.m.

Location:
Chop’d
12337 S. Illinois Route 59, Suite #155
Plainfield, IL 60585

Schedule of Bartenders

6-6:45 p.m.: Cally Larson, Brian Minnis, Ryan Peterson, Rob Hamilton, Elaine Curry
6:45-7:30 p.m: Joe Lagiglia, Tracey Rae Crowe, Brian Wojowski, Stephen Blount, Marcus Rembert
7:30-8:15 p.m.: Yonika Willis, Tasha Marsaglia, Eric Galle, Jeff Bullock, Maria Romero
8:15-9 p.m.: Lisa Behounek, Shannon Stawikowski, Harry Benton, John Argoudelis

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YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic Rescheduled to Thursday, September 21

Due to the excessive heat and extreme temperatures in the forecast for the original event date, the 2023 Mission Strong Golf Classic has been postponed. The Golf Classic has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 21, at ‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club.

We do apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that you will be able to join us on what will hopefully be a beautiful (and much cooler) fall day on September 21.

For additional information about the 2023 Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:

Dori Fugate
Volunteer and Community Engagement Director
Phone: (815) 782-0502
Email: [email protected]

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Sponsorships For The 2023 YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic Are Now Available

Sponsorship opportunities for the Greater Joliet Area YMCA’s second annual Mission Strong Golf Classic, which will be held on Thursday, August 24, at ‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club, are now available. Proceeds from this year’s golf outing, which is generously presented by Midland States Bank, will benefit the Y’s Mission Strong Fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the YMCA due to the inability to pay.

Foursomes and dinner tickets for the 2023 Mission Strong Golf Classic will go on sale beginning Monday, June 19.

JOIN US

YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic
Thursday, August 24

Lunch – 11 a.m.
Shotgun Start – Noon

‘The Creek’ at Morris Country Club
Morris, IL

Your day will include:

  • 18 holes of golf with a cart
  • Lunch and complimentary beverages on the course
  • A cocktail reception, dinner, and awards
  • A welcome gift, course games, prizes, raffles, and more

Cost: $700 per foursome or $175 for an individual golfer, $50 for dinner reception only

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

To learn more about the YMCA Mission Strong Golf Classic, please contact:
Dori Fugate
Volunteer & Community Engagement Director
(815) 782-0502
[email protected]

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