EVANSTON, IL. – The McGaw YMCA celebrated 140 years of service, connection, and community on Saturday, January 24, with the Y140 Party, presented by Northwestern University. The event offered the ultimate “night in the Town” experience, blending the elegance of past Y Galas with the energy of the iconic Y Parties of years past.

Over 300 guests filled the Sebring-Lewis Center, enjoying music from DJ Corey Bless, a photo booth, and a popular yearbook viewing station hosted by Evanston Township High School Alumni Relations. Local favorite Gigio’s Pizza, a staple of Y Party culture, made a special appearance, and attendees showed off red carpet-glam and retro-inspired Y Party looks while reconnecting with familiar faces for an unforgettable celebration.

During the event, Monique Parsons, President and CEO of the McGaw YMCA, reflected on the Y’s enduring impact in Evanston, pointing to decades of Friday night Y Parties for middle school youth as a powerful example of how the YMCA fosters connection and community.

“For 140 years, this Y has been a place where people come together. We kept hearing the same stories about the historic Y Parties—Friday nights in the basement, the music, the lights, the outfits, the crowd, the feeling of being fully alive,” Parsons said.

“People light up when they tell those stories, so we listened and brought that spirit back to mark our milestone anniversary with a true Y Party—joyful, nostalgic, and rooted in mission,” she added. Parsons noted that after years of challenge and uncertainty, the Y’s role as a place for community connection is more important than ever.

The event balanced celebration with purpose, as guests embraced the chance to “Put a Bow on It” to support the Y’s mission-driven programs. The evening raised over $235,000, helping to fund initiatives in affordable housing, early childhood education, youth development, and healthy living.

The success of the Y140 Party was made possible by the generosity of attendees, volunteers, community partners, and sponsors. Special thanks to presenting sponsor Northwestern University, lead sponsor the Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation, and premier sponsors Ann and Russ Covode and the Tom F. and Susan P. Moran Family Foundation. Visit the Y140 Party webpage for a full list of sponsors.