Successful night for 2022 YMCA Soirée

  • Larry and Linda Meyer smile for a picture during the fundraiser.
  • Always a crowd favorite during the Soirée for the YMCA is the band 90’s Daughter.
  • Tina Freeman, Donna Schneider and Lisa Kimball (L-R) pose for a photo at the event.
  • (Clockwise from far left) Fundraiser attendees Kolby Hoffman, Becky Savko, Linda Schaefer, Mary Mann, Joy French Becker, Eleanor Stevens and Amy Stevens-Kaufmann; Kristan Becker Hoffman is in the foreground.
  • Local auctioneer talent Jess Spradlin auctions off the West of Wise Winery Wine Tasting Party as Barbara Gross shows the item to the evening’s audience.
  • Karen Homolka, Melissa Schildman, Jeni Rajaguru, Madeline Sorrill and Julie Rowe assist with the wine pull sales for the evening.
  • Tina and Darrell Simmermaker, the owners of West of Wise Winery in Petersburg, donated a wine tasting experience for the live auction; the item boasted an event for 8 people held in the relaxing atmosphere of their beautiful country winery with the winemaker, Darrell Simmermaker, himself. It included West of Wise Winery’s award-winning wines, hors d’ouerves and three bottles of wine chosen by the group for sipping.
  • Zach Pickens, left, sits with his dad, Glenn Pickens. Glenn Pickens is the sports director at the YMCA.

by Lynn Colburn
Photos/Lynn Colburn

Although the event moved from January to April, winter still managed to show itself as a last gasp of small flurries during the morning of rescheduled fundraiser for the Bob Freesen YMCA. The sold-out event took place from 6-11 p.m. on Friday, April 8, at Hamilton’s, with the weather clearing up for a night of Soirée festivities.

More than 300 guests came out to support their local YMCA and show how much the Y means to the Jacksonville and surrounding areas. Money raised assists the Y in bringing its mission to realization — a mission to bring Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy mind, spirit and body for all. The team at the Y work to make the facility and all it offers accessible and available to the entire Jacksonville community.

From membership to youth sports, summer day camp to swim lessons, Parkinson’s classes, Pickleball and so much more, the Y is here to support the Jacksonville area in mental, physical and spiritual growth.

After the live and basket auctions closed, guests danced the rest of the night away to the sounds of band 90’s Daughter.

The YMCA would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped by donating sponsorships, donating items to the auctions and wine pull, as well as those who donated their time and money to the Soirée.

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