Former Y Board member Jim Marshall is recognized and congratulated by Rep. LaShawn Ford. (Photo by Rob Hart)

Friends of the West Cook YMCA were not deterred by the area’s biggest November snowstorm in 120 years to make its annual Gala—”a celebration of spirit, mind and body”– a smashing success.

The capacity crowd of 170 who attended the Gala at the Oak Park Country Club Saturday, November 21, raised a record $ 77,000 in scholarships so financially challenged persons will benefit from scores of the Y’s health and fitness programs in the coming year. 

Gala attendees raised $28,500 for special initiatives in support of the Y’s pre-school, residence, wellness and health literacy, after-school, chronic disease prevention, youth basketball and swim lesson programs, led off by a generous gift of $ 10,000.

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