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Community Corner

North Suburban YMCA Community Unites for Annual Strong Kids Fundraising Dinner

A sell-out crowd gathered on April 30 for a gala dinner in support of the North Suburban YMCA’s Strong Kids Fund. With 411 guests in attendance, the 8th Annual Ken & Alta Thiel Strong Kids Dinner at the Hilton Chicago-Northbrook was the largest attended in the event’s history. The 2014 Dinner raised a record-breaking $265,000 to support the Y’s Strong Kids Financial Assistance Fund, putting the eight-year fundraising total at $1,765,000. In addition, the Y honored UPS with the Thiel Award for Leadership and Social Responsibility, in recognition of the UPS Foundation’s longstanding support of Y programs and renovations.

Named in honor of the North Suburban Y’s founders Ken and Alta Thiel, the annual Strong Kids Dinner provides funding to make Y programs accessible to families in financial need, including afterschool childcare, classes, summer camp, special needs program, and membership. Through the support of the Strong Kids Dinner and other fundraising initiatives, the Strong Kids Fund provided over $530,000 in program fee abatements to over 2300 individuals and families in need this past year

The event, co-chaired by Laurie Shults of Northbrook and Chad Coe of Deerfield, featured a wide variety of activities including an extensive silent auction, an assortment of games, an appearance by Mrs. Illinois, Randi Moxi, and dinner. Coe partnered with Ron Bernardi of Sunset Foods in conducting a live auction that included travel packages, sports memorabilia, and other exciting opportunities. Performers from the North Suburban School of Dance invigorated the crowd with a spirited rendition of disco classics, including the Village People’s classic, “YMCA”.

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Jill Narens, UPS manager and Y Board Member, accepted the Thiel Award on behalf of the UPS Foundation. “I’m honored to serve on the Y Board, and I’m grateful that the UPS Foundation has awarded the Y not one, but two major grants in the past two years,” she noted. “The Y provides many, many services for so many people, and the money we raise this evening will help us continue to provide those services and help our neighbors in need.”

The true impact of the fundraiser was highlighted in an appeal by Sal Manso, a long-time Y Board member. “The Y reaches out to every community member who needs a hand, a home, or some loving care for their kids while the parents are at work,” said Manso. An avid racquetball player, Manso continued, “I could be a member of any club in town, but I’m proud to be a member of a place like the Y that gives back so much to the community.” Manso also introduced the uniformed state champion Glenbrook United Team Basketball Team, a team of special education athletes from both Glenbrook South and North high schools. The Y provides free practice time for the team in the gym.

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The North Suburban YMCA is committed to keeping its programs, services and benefits available to everyone in the community, including those in financial need. Currently, one out of five participants in NSYMCA programs receive some level of assistance. To learn more about ways to support the Strong Kids Financial Assistance Fund, contact Barb Flanagin at bflanagin@nsymca.org.

About the North Suburban YMCA

The North Suburban YMCA is a not-for-profit entity and relies on donations to fund capital improvements and to make services accessible for all families and individuals. 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 fifteen-city region for over 45 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.

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