YMCA’s annual Giving Gala a big success
April 6, 2012 1:08PM
David Silverman (from left) - a founding member of Mahoney, Silverman and Cross - poses with Will County board members Suzanne Hart and Chuck Maher. | Submitted photo
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Updated: May 9, 2012 8:03AM
BOLINGBROOK — More than 300 area residents helped the Greater Joliet Area YMCA raise more than $53,000 at its fifth annual Giving Gala on Feb. 25 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club.
Funds raised from the annual event benefit the Y’s scholarship fund, helping to ensure that no one is turned away from the Joliet-based organization due to the inability to pay.
The Greater Joliet Area YMCA has been serving families, regardless of age, income or background, from throughout Will County and its surrounding areas for more than 80 years. As one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, the Y is strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Since its inception, the Giving Gala has raised more than $200,000 to benefit families within the communities served.
One of the area’s premier fundraising events, the gala was a glamorous evening. A beautifully decorated ballroom set the stage for the evening’s festivities, which included cocktails, dinner, entertainment and an exciting live auction led by auctioneer Richard Fredrickson.
This year’s live auction netted more than $11,000 as attendees bid on weekend getaways and tickets to this summer’s Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney concert at Soldier Field. The top-grossing items from this year’s live auction included a Snap-On toolbox and tools and a day trip for eight on a private 56-foot Carver Yacht on Lake Michigan.
This year’s YMCA Giving Gala was co-chaired by Robert Epley (Plainfield) and Victoria Matway (Plainfield). Committee members included Fiona Alston (Oswego), Judy Avery (Plainfield), Margie Bonuchi (Plainfield), Mark Griglione (Shorewood), Kathy Kazmar (Plainfield) and Diane Racich (Plainfield).
Elite sponsors for this year’s Giving Gala included Central Steel and Wire Co.; Ron and Kathy Kazmar; the Bugle, Enterprise and Sentinel newspapers; Continental Audi of Naperville; Edward Hospital; First Midwest Bank; the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce; and Wells Fargo Bank.
