Greater Joliet Area YMCA

GREATER JOLIET AREA YMCA

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

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YMCA Donor Profile: Cheri Rubocki

To celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, the Y is highlighting members from around our association who have chosen to make an impact in their community by donating to the Y. Individuals like Greater Joliet Area YMCA Board Member Cheri Rubocki. Cheri serves on the Galowich and Smith Family YMCA Advisory Councils, and in this Q&A she shares her YMCA experience and the value of supporting the Y through charitable giving.

Q: Why do you choose to support the Y through charitable giving? 

We are proud to have Cheri Rubocki (second from right) and her family as members of our Y community.

Cheri: There are so many reasons to support the Y, especially with the impact they’ve had on individuals and families in our community. I’ve been able to witness this myself because the Y has had a direct impact on my family. My husband was a JETS swimmer when he was a kid and both my kids both swam for the JETS. But the number one reason we support the Y is because the Y never turns away anyone for the inability to pay. That kind of organization is one I’m happy to support.

Q: What programs do you think have had the greatest impact on the community?

Cheri: I think it would be the youth programs the Y provides. I’ve seen some really great results from the Teen Achievers program and I’ve supported that directly. The other one would be the Safety Around Water program. My daughter and I went out during swim lessons with Farragut Elementary School and it’s become something near and dear to me. Seeing those kids in the water with their big beautiful smiles, and knowing that those children wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to learn to swim, made me so proud to support the program.

Q: What message would you give to someone looking to support the Y?

Cheri: Although it’s always important to give, this year it’s especially important if you have the means. There are so many people in need. Many families are finding themselves in a position they’ve never been in before as a result of the pandemic. Whether it’s because of their income being affected, or dealing with child care and e-learning, they’ve had to make significant changes to their lifestyle. It’s so important to support the community by giving, and giving generously.

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The Y would like to thank Cheri for her generosity and commitment to the Y. To pledge your support through a charitable gift to the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, click here.

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YMCA Donor Profile: Missie and Mike Wright

To celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, the Y is highlighting members from around our association who have chosen to make an impact in their community by donating to the Y. Members like Missie and Mike Wright of the Morris Community YMCA. In this Q&A, they share their YMCA experiences and the value of supporting the Y through charitable giving.

Q: What YMCA programming has your family enjoyed participating in and what kind of impact have you seen the Y make in the community?

Missie: It all started with the YMCA youth basketball league many years ago.  Both our children, Libby (now 16) and Charlie (now 14), played for years starting at the age of 5.  What fond memories we have of those games. Thanks to Ken Iverson for making YBL what it is today. YBL provides a fun, safe physical activity to the youth throughout Grundy County.  

As a family we have also taken part in fitness classes (adult and youth), youth summer sports camps, and when the kids were younger they would enjoy holiday parties/crafts.

We are proud to have Mike and Missie Wright (pictured at center) as key members of our Y community.

The Y provides other great opportunities throughout the year for the benefit of our community members, young and mature alike.  Trunk or Treat, Parents’ Night Out, Pickleball Leagues, Senior Fitness and more.

Mike:  YMCA basketball was a fun way to get initiated into the Y.  Winter weeknights and Saturday mornings in January and February were great for kids (and parents) to interact, get out of the house, and get some exercise from Kindergarten to 6th grade.  Now that the kids are older, the facility in Morris is a welcoming place where it’s fun to see other smiling faces from all walks of life.  

Q: Why do you have a passion for supporting the Y through charitable giving?

Missie:  What is there not to love about supporting the Y?  It has all the cornerstones of what a donor-worthy organization should have.  The YMCA provides community outreach, financial support for those who have fallen on difficult times, fellowship amongst its patrons, employees, and volunteers, and a safe place for kids to go through summer camp and before and after school programs.   

Mike: The YMCA offers a combination of social interaction, active lifestyle, and family support that many individuals crave and many communities are lacking.

Q: What Y programs do you enjoy supporting the most? 

Missie: For me it would be summer camp, as it has a special place in my heart.  As a child, I benefited from that same type of program in Boise, Idaho growing up in the 80’s.  Both my parents worked, and I lived in a very rural area about 25 miles out of the city.  Thanks to the YMCA’s daycare program, I was able to experience a fun, active, and engaging summer at an affordable cost. I have nothing but warm, happy thoughts of those times. 

Mike:  After coaching YBL basketball for 8 years, and seeing the excitement in all the kids, I will always be willing to help with donations to keep that program viable. It feels good to know that anyone who would like to join won’t be turned away.

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The Y would like to thank Missie and Mike for their generosity and commitment to the Y. To pledge your support through a charitable gift to the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, click here.

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YMCA Donor Profile: Mike Kruchten

To celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, the Y is highlighting members from around our association who have chosen to make an impact in their community by donating to the Y. Members like Mike Kruchten of the Smith Family YMCA. In this Q&A, he shares his YMCA experience and the value of supporting the Y through charitable giving.

We are proud to have Mike Kruchten (far right) and his family as members of our Y community.

Q: What inspires you to support the Y through charitable giving?

Mike: The Y is an organization I will always plan to contribute to because of the connection with my family. It has always been a great place to go. As a young child I lived about half mile from the Smith Family YMCA. I was pretty involved at the Y and learned how to swim there. My mom was a single parent and I benefited from the after school programs. Now I have three children and still live in close proximity. My youngest son has a prosthetic leg and he recently took swim lessons at the Y. They’ve just done an incredible job serving the community.

Q: What Y programs do you think have had the greatest impact in the community?

Mike: The summer camp programs are awesome for our community. For many kids, who knows what would happen if they were left home alone in the summer. By having that program, it’s an incredible way to give them a chance to learn and grow.

Q: Why do you think it is important to support the Y this year?

Mike: There has been a good portion of our community that has been affected by the pandemic. As a school board member, and a parent, I know the school schedules have caused havoc. It’s important to know that there is an organization like the Y that can step in and assist with child care and remote learning. Donations can help reduce the cost for families, and I know the organization is going to put those donations toward the best resources they feel are needed.

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The Y would like to thank Mike for his generosity and commitment to the Y. To pledge your support through a charitable gift to the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, click here.

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YMCA Donor Profile: Gus Rousonelos

To celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, the Y is highlighting members from around our association who have chosen to make an impact in their community by donating to the Y. Members like Gus Rousonelos of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA. In this Q&A, he shares his YMCA experience and the value of supporting the Y through charitable giving.

Q: What inspires you to support the Y through charitable giving?

Gus: First off, I feel it’s the right thing to do. The second thing is that the leadership at the Y works tirelessly, day-in and day-out, greeting everybody who comes through the doors with love and kindness. Especially children. They are the most important group to help because they can’t control their financial situation. We can help parents and families through Y programs and that’s why we should give.”

Q: Where have you seen charitable giving have the most impact at the Y?

Gus: There are so many children that come to YMCA summer camp whose parents otherwise don’t have the financial means to let them participate. Because of the financial support, we create educational opportunities for these children. Often things they’ve never seen before, like our garden. I’m so happy to see them participate and learn.

Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to support the Y? 

Gus: I talk about equal sacrifice, equal giving. Every person, no matter who it is, can give. Whether they can give $20, or give over $500. Because of the ongoing pandemic, it’s critical, more than ever, to give to the YMCA so that they can continue the programs they have for people who can’t otherwise afford it. I feel the future of the Y is bright because the YMCA is a very important part of the community and everyone is here to help.

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The Y would like to thank Gus for his generosity and commitment to the Y. To pledge your support through a charitable gift to the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, click here.

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YMCA Donor Profile: Jonathan Myers

To celebrate Giving Tuesday this year, the Y is highlighting members from around our association who have chosen to make an impact in their community by donating to the Y. Members like Jonathan Myers of the Galowich Family YMCA. In this Q&A, he shares his YMCA experience and the value of supporting the Y through charitable giving.

Q: Why do you feel so connected to the YMCA community? 

Jonathan: 16 years ago I lived in Georgia and I was a stay-at-home father. After about six months of being home with an infant, my wife said I should start going to the Y. It would give me something to do and get out of the house. I went down the street to the Y and I walked in. They said they also had child care available while members worked out. I asked how much extra it would cost and they said ‘it’s included’. It was a godsend.

Q: Do you still feel that same sense of community today?

Jonathan: Yes. You can work out anywhere. But if you’re going to work out somewhere why not do it at a place where the mission branches out to other things. That’s what the Y is to me, an extension of the community as opposed to just another gym or fitness place.

Q: Why are you passionate about supporting the Y through charitable giving? 

Jonathan: If I can do whatever I can to give back, I do it. I know there are people out there who are hurting and have been greatly affected by the pandemic. In some little way if I can continue to come to the Y, and give extra for other people who can’t, that’s what the Y is all about.

Q: How would you describe the impact of charitable giving to the Y?

Jonathan: I actually said this to someone the other day. The world still has miracles but god can’t do it by himself. He uses human beings to make those miracles happen. We’re god’s hands and feet. We are the miracles. And in one sense, giving to the Y can help a miracle happen for someone in the community. Because when we give, the Y has the resources to make their miracles come true.

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The Y would like to thank John for his generosity and commitment to the Y. To pledge your support through a charitable gift to the YMCA Mission Strong Fund, click here.

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Support the YMCA on Giving Tuesday

For more nearly 95 years, the YMCA has been a mainstay in our community, providing much-needed programs and services for children, families, and adults living in Will and Grundy Counties. Over this past year, a lot has changed, but the Y’s commitment has remained the same—to always be here for our community when people need us most, with open arms and caring hearts.

Like many non-profit organizations, the Y has experienced substantial financial losses and unforeseen expenses as a result of COVID-19. To ensure that the Y’s mission can continue to thrive and help those in our community who need it most, we need your support more than ever.

On Tuesday, December 1, we invite you to join the #GivingTuesday movement by making a tax deductible donation to the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund! Your gift, in any amount, will help to change the lives of people living right here in our community- your friends and neighbors.

Three ways to give:

1. Donate through Facebook. On #GivingTuesday, Facebook is matching up to $7 million in donations, which would double your impact!

C.W. Avery Family YMCA 

Galowich Family YMCA 

Morris Community YMCA 

Smith Family YMCA

2. Make your gift online by clicking here.

3. Stop by your local branch and drop off your donation at the Membership Desk.

Thank you again for your continued support of the YMCA and the communities we serve.

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