Giving Gala Supports Greater Joliet YMCA Scholarships

It's an opportunity to get gussied up while giving back: the Greater Joliet Area YMCA's seventh annual Giving Gala will return to the Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., on Saturday, Feb. 22.

This year's event co-chairs are Village of Plainfield trustee Margie Bonuchi and Tim Stetenfeld of Edward Jones Investments.

"It's a beautiful, black-tie affair," Bonuchi said. Even better, the Giving Gala supports the YMCA's scholarship program, which allows families facing financial tough times the opportunity to be a part of the Y.

"The YMCA doesn't turn away anyone who can't pay," Bonuchi said.

The event starts at 6 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as a jazz combo entertains guests. After dinner, the Gold Coast Orchestra will play from 9 p.m. to midnight.

As always, the gala will include silent and live auctions. New this year is the "Best of Live" auction. With just 200 tickets sold, "Best Of Live" will allow one lucky winner to choose any live auction item as his or her own.

This year's auction items include Chicago Blackhawks tickets, a stay at a vacation home in Cabo San Lucas, dinner for 10 — complete with wine pairings — at Plainfield's HopScotch & Vine, a Chicago getaway package and more.

"It's going to be a little different this year," Stetenfeld said, noting that this time around, there will be a professional auctioneer. "It'll make it a little bit more professional."

Also new is a cash raffle; for $25, guests can enter to win prizes of $1,500, $1,000 or $500, according to Stetenfeld.

Tickets to the gala are $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. According to Bonuchi, this year's ticket price includes dinner, dancing and an open bar.

Stetenfeld said organizers are estimating about 400 guests this year.

"We have a distinct feeling we're going to sell out," he said.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call (815) 729-9638. Tickets are also available online by clicking here.