Over 250 people attended the North Suburban YMCA’s 18th Annual Community Strong Fundraising Dinner and Casino Night on April 26 at Loft 21 in Lincolnshire.
According to a news release, the Y event featured live music, dinner curated by Jordan’s Food of Distinction, casino games, and one of the Y’s largest-ever silent and live auctions, with over 240 items and packages.
The dinner is the first of two Community Strong events, the release said. The second event will be the 4th Annual Community Strong Golf Event and Patio Party this summer on Thursday, July 18 at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling and welcomes all golf levels.
The Y’s Community Strong annual fundraisers help provide over $500,000 a year in financial assistance to make programs accessible to underserved communities and families in need, as well as free programs and services that meet community needs, according to the release. The Y’s financial assistance program offers families and individuals after-school childcare, life-saving swim lessons, summer camp, special needs programs, chronic illness prevention, senior support, and more. The Y never turns anyone away regardless of their ability to pay and this annual charitable mission supports more than 2,600 participants annually.
“This is my first time attending the Y dinner and I was really impressed,” said Nerissa Coyle McGinn, guest and volunteer for the Y’s Youth and Government Program. “This year the Y stepped up by offering a new Youth and Government Program that Susan Rosen and I helped our sons, Ty and Charlie launch.
“We were thrilled to be a part of a program that was featured at the event and were humbled by the number of guests that applauded the Y for bringing this program to the young, future leaders in our community, McGinn said. “Without support, programs like these aren’t possible at the Y and we are so honored this program was featured and brought to everyone’s attention this year.”
The Ken and Alta Thiel Award for Social Responsibility and Leadership was awarded to Illinois Bone and Joint Institute and accepted by Laurie Jensen, Market Manager, according to the release. In attendance and supporting the Y’s efforts were also CEO Andre Blom, Melody Winter-Jabeck, Dr. Mark Mikhael, Dr. Andrew Benck, Dr. Sean Sutphen, Laurie Jensen, Donna Ishak, DPT, Beth Patricoski, DPT and Emma Chandler.
“IBJI has been an amazing supporter of our Y and our YMCA Education Series (YES) for many years,” said Kim Nyren, Director of Community Investment & Events at the Y. “Without companies like IBJI, our Y wouldn’t be able to serve the community in so many facets. We are so grateful for their continued support and truly believe Laurie Jensen and the IBJI team are so deserving this year!”
The release said the festivities included new twists and old favorites. The Live Auction featured new items including an experience at the Autobahn Club, a vacation package donated by Lake Shore Travel, and tickets to the Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel Concert donated by 94.7 WLS-FM. Old favorites included the famous “Paddle Frenzy” conducted by co-host Ron Bernardi of Sunset Foods and a live and silent auction that brought in over $50,000.
“We are so lucky to have such amazing support in our community, from our Board of Directors, staff, members, sponsors, local business, and community members. Everyone plays a part in helping our Y do the important community work and it also reminds people that we are more than just a gym,” Kathy Fielding CEO of the North Suburban YMCA, said. “The funds raised this year have been at the highest in years, but we still have to close that gap of our financial assistance and community support needs, which we hope to do so at our Golf Event on July 18.”
