With 360 guests in attendance, the North Suburban YMCA’s Ken & Alta Thiel Strong Kids Fundraising Dinner exceeded expectations by raising a record $250,000 to support  the Y’s Strong Kids Financial Assistance Fund.  The sixth annual dinner, named in honor of the North Suburban Y’s founders Ken and Alta Thiel, is the Y’s major fundraising effort that provides funding to help make Y programs accessible to families in the community seeking to engage in essential Y services, such as afterschool childcare, summer camp, special needs program, and membership.

Held at the Northbrook Hilton on May 16th, attendees enjoyed live music, live and silent auctions, a chance at winning diamond earrings and a Swiss watch, and outstanding food from Allgauer’s Restaurant.  Ron Bernardi of Sunset Foods, a Y Board Member, conducted a live auction that included a rib fest, gourmet dinner, sports tickets, golf with a PGA pro and vacation packages.  First Bank of Highland Park was presented with the Thiel Award for Leadership and Social Responsibility for its history of leadership and commitment to the Y, as well as other vital community organizations.

The YMCA ensures that along with its holistic and enriching programs and services, all children and families have a healthy, active and safe place to be in their community and that

everyone has access to it. In 2011, the NSYMCA provided one out of five participants with financial assistance through the Strong Kids Financial Assistance Program, granting over $490,000 to keep families with children in camps, childcare, and enrichment programs to over 2,000 individuals.

“We are here for the one out of five people at the Y who need help to benefit from our programs,” said Howard Schultz, Executive Director/CEO of the North Suburban YMCA. “We are doing this through the generosity of the local businesses and individual contributors in our community who made this evening such a success.”

To learn more about ways to support the Strong Kids Campaign, contact Barb Flanagin at bflanagin@nsymca.org.

About the North Suburban YMCA

The YMCA is a not-for-profit entity and relies on donations to fund capital improvements and transform the facility. All board members are community volunteers, who donate their time, talents and financial resources.  Located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook, the YMCA has served area families in its twelve-city region for over 40 years.  The Y is about youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, providing programs and services that meet the needs of our community and are accessible to all.  For more information or to make a donation call Barb Flanagin at 847-272-7250, bflanagin@nsymca.org,or visit www.nsymca.org.