Former Y Board member Jim Marshall is recognized and congratulated by Rep. LaShawn Ford. (Photo by Rob Hart)
Jonathan Lever, Vice President of Health Strategy and Innovation for YMCA of the USA, keynoted West Cook YMCA Gala. (Photo by Rob Hart)
Scott Gaalaas YMCA Partnership Awardee Patrick Maloney, Westlake Hospital CEO and Dr. Marta Alvarado, Westlake’s Director of Community Services. (Photo by Rob Hart)
West Cook Y Board member Dr. Scott Yen and former Board chair, David Phelps. (Photo by Rob Hart)
Phillip Jimenez talks with Harmon and Dawn Brown. (Photo by Rob Hart)
Oak Park Village President Anan Abu-Taleb and Phillip Jimenez, West Cook YMCA CEO. (Photo by Rob Hart)
Co-chair Joseph Locke (far right) visits with Joan Monego, Ernest Watts, Barbara Watts. (Photo by Rob Hart)
Cathy Pruger (third from left), Gala co-chair, chats with Flavio Fernandez, Reina Fernandez, Viki Diana. (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.