2021 YMCA Gala nets more than $205,000

The Greater Joliet YMCA raised more than $205,000 at its gala Saturday, which was held the Bolingbrook Golf Club, according to a news release from the Y.

The funds 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, the release said.

The event included dinner, live entertainment by Shout Out, and live and silent auctions.

Plainfield resident and longtime YMCA supporter Judy Avery received the inaugural C.W. and J.L. Avery Philanthropic Award in recognition of “her family’s generous charitable support of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA,” the release said.

Former Y President and CEO Tami Sender and Greater Joliet Area YMCA President and CEO Katy Leclair presented the award to Avery and on stage spoke about the Avery family’s contributions.

The “Raise the Paddle” portion of the showcased YMCA stories of impact.

“Guests were asked to raise their paddles in an auction-style format with individual contributions ranging from $50 to $10,000,” the release said.

“Raise the Paddle” raised “a record-high $107,000″ for the YMCA’s Mission Strong Fund, the release said.

Joliet resident Erick Deshaun Dorris served as volunteer auctioneer.

Among the items auctioned were numerous Chicago sports packages, a four-night stay at a cabin in Minocqua, Wisconsin, (which sold twice, and which was donated by Judy Avery) and a two-week trip to Hawaii, which sold twice, and which was donated by Fred and Maria Bliznick, the release said.

The 2021 Gala volunteer committee members included Annie Gretencord, Karen Haas, MaryKay Hrdina, Mary Jaworski, Maria Macris, Alexa Midlock, Kristin Orban, Ryan Peterson, Joan Williams, and Barb Ziegner.

Lisa Behounek, Donnie Chestnutt, Dori Fugate, Carolyn Hamilton, Erin Lightbody, Jenna Rys and Jackson White provided staff support.

For information, go to jolietymca.org.