FRY YMCA EXEC DIRECTOR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Erika Wood, executive director of the Fry Family YMCA in Naperville, will retire July 3 after 43 years with the nonprofit organization.
Wood began volunteering at the YMCA on Chicago’s South Side when she was 12 years old and got her first YMCA job when she was 16, a news release from the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago said.
During her career, she has worked at the Lawrence Hall for Boys, a community-based service agency to help heal the effects of childhood trauma, as well as YMCA organizations in Denver, Downers Grove and Naperville.
“The YMCA was where I felt like I belonged, like I was making a difference and connecting with other people,” Wood said in the release.
Wood said she enjoys helping people feel connected and supported and creating experiences that bring communities together. She also said she is proud of the YMCA’s COVID-19 pandemic response that provided emergency childcare while continuing to create safe, engaging experiences for children.
“Erika’s legacy is one of compassion, leadership and unwavering dedication to strengthening community,” Adam Alonso, YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago president and CEO, said in the release.
WILL COUNTY OFFERING ANIMAL ADOPTION SPECIAL
Adoption fees will be waived through July 10 as part of the Will County Animal Protection Services’ and Chicagoland Speedway’s “Every Pet Deserves a Victory Lap” campaign.
Adoptable pets will be available for meet-and-greets at the county’s animal protection services shelter in Joliet and participating shelters in Shorewood and Aurora, a news release from Will County said.
All adoptable pets are spayed, neutered and up to date on vaccines and tests.
A special adoption event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at the county’s main shelter at 22452 Cherry Hill Road, Joliet, and at All Pets Wellness Center, 1975 Melissa Lane, Aurora.
Meet-and-greets with adoptable pets must be scheduled in advance by emailing adopt@willcounty.gov, calling 815-462-5633 or submitting an inquiry on the online adoption tool Petfinder.com.
Adoptable pets can be found on the county’s Petfinder page at willcounty.gov/animalservices or at bit.ly/3RSLWMy.
Current Will County pet owners can receive free microchipping for dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets through July 10. Microchipping appointments can be scheduled at calendly.com/willcountyaps/microchipevent or by calling 815-462-5633.
FOSTER HOSTING PHONE TOWN HALL MEETING
U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Naperville, is inviting his constituents to take part in an telephone town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 23.
Interested participants are asked to complete an online form to receive a call for the meeting, which will be livestreamed via Foster’s Facebook page and website. The form is available at forms.gle/kQRTx5wYDxkkNbMh6 or via Foster’s website at foster.house.gov/live.
Participants can ask questions during the call, an email from Foster’s office said.
