YMCA of Metro Chicago Hosts its 2020 Virtual Recognition Dinner

The YMCA of Metro Chicago is pleased to host its annual Recognition Dinner virtually on Wednesday, October 21.  This year’s event will honor the people, the purpose and the passion that drives the Y’s mission and our great city forward.  In 2020, we have all seen how the people of Chicago have united with great passion to support each other as we all grapple with the COVID-19 healthcare crisis. The Y is honored to contribute to the city and the region’s coordinated response. 

During the evening’s program, Mayor Lori Lightfoot will provide remarks highlighting the special partnership between the City of Chicago and the YMCA as we work together to support families both during and after the crisis.  Similarly, Y members, leaders and supporters will share their perspectives on the YMCA’s emergency response work since the start of the pandemic.    

Photo courtesy of the YMCA of Metro Chicago.

As many of you may know, over the last six months, the Y’s people have established emergency child care for children of healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers so that these individuals can focus on providing vital services for our communities. Some of the organization’s membership centers served a new purpose when they were transformed to provide emergency housing for unsheltered Chicagoans. And Y staff members demonstrated their passion for service by distributing food and other essential items such as diapers, cleaning supplies, laptops and clothing to families in the Y’s Early Education & Care program and others in the community. 

One mother speaks personally to how the YMCA positively impacted her family during a time of great uncertainty.

As we all continue to contend with the healthcare crisis, the YMCA remains committed to assessing and responding to the changing needs of the youth and families we serve with high-quality programs and services.  Just recently, when the 2020-21 academic year resumed virtually for most schools, the YMCA pivoted quickly to create a Remote Learning Support program to support working parents across the city and suburbs.  The program provides in-person academic support, mentoring, and supervision for children, while also infusing enriching social, physical, and creative activity during the day.  Most importantly, stringent safety measures are in place for the protection of all. 

Photo courtesy of the YMCA of Metro Chicago.

The YMCA is also grateful to continue its work with important community partnerships, such as Top Box Foods, to distribute food and crucial supplies to struggling individuals and families.

Philanthropic contributions from the Y’s annual Recognition Dinner enable critical programs like these to exist. For more than 160 years, the YMCA has been there to ensure that families and communities remain strong in times of crisis and beyond.

We invite you to make a gift in support of this event and the Y’s work into the future. All gifts, up to $60,000 will be matched thanks to the generosity of the Foglia Family Foundation, and Susan and Nick Noyes – meaning your gift to the Y will go twice as far.

donate now

We want to also extend our sincerest gratitude to the event’s Lead Sponsors for their early investment in this campaign:

The Crown Family
BMO Harris Bank
Foglia Family Foundation
Reyes Holdings
Allstate Insurance Company
Maree G. Bullock, The Alford Group
McCormick Foundation
GCM Grosvenor
Liz and Eric Lefkofsky
Wintrust Community Banks

To learn more about the YMCA of Metro Chicago, this year’s virtual Recognition Dinner or how you can support the mission of the Y, please contact Katie Panning Spieth at kpanningspieth@ymcachicago.org


More From Better:

  Who We Are       NFP Support       Magazine       Programs       Donate    

X