Young Professionals contribute in many ways

Published in the Culpeper Star Exponent Monday, May 21, 2012

The Young Professionals Group (aka - YP’s) at Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is a meaningful networking group of dedicated, young professionals ranging in age from 25 – 40 (ish). The mission of the group is to create a platform for members to build relationships, develop professionally and contribute to the local community through specific activities. The group has over 50 members and continues to develop ways for YP’s to benefit from the growing network of young leaders in our region.

The Young Professionals contribute the business community in many ways. The Chamber has appointed several YP’s to the Culpeper Chamber Board of Directors in recognition of their leadership toward securing the future vitality of our business community. We also recognize one YP each year as the Young Professional of the Year. Many of you remember that Jon Krawchuk was awarded the designation at the Annual Banquet in 2011. This is an increasingly difficult award to fill considering the field of great YP leaders.

A congratulations to the YP’s on their successful fund raiser for the Culpeper Food Closet. The group holds an annual bowling tournament to raise funds for a special need in the community each May. The tournament held last Tuesday, raised over $3000 and over 500 lbs of food for the local food closet at a time when demand for such support has increased.

The tournament began in 2010 raising $1,500 for the March of Dimes. In 2011 the YP’s raised $2,700 for the Scott Fisher Foundation. In 2012, the tournament raised another record amount. It is not surprising that the tournament “sells out” every year with such a great focus on giving back to the community.

The Tournament sponsors reflect the strength and diversity of the YP’s. The group wishes to thank the sponsors of the event:  Terremark, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, The Scott M. Fisher Foundation, Association of Social Work Boards, Union First Market Bank, Tuesday Noon Leadshare Group, Columbia Gas of Virginia, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, and Yesterday Reclaimed.  
And a special thank you to Ed’s Awards and Engraving for donating the coveted trophies and to Yesterday Reclaimed, Mountain Run Bowling Center and Culpeper Media Network for their generous donation of auction items.   Thank you to Green Roost, Donald Rice Tire and Auto, Culpeper Renaissance, Inc., Second Floor Yoga and Wellness, Main Street Hair Salon, Satha Distribution, Gold’s Gym, and the members of Tuesday Noon Leadshare,  for their door prize donations.

For more information on joining the Culpeper Chamber Young Professionals, contact Debbie Stohlman at the Chamber office @ 540-825-8628. Go to the CulpeperChamber.com to find YP events on the Chamber event calendar.  The next big event will be the Crab Feast in September at Verdun.

If you are looking for the next big thing at the Chamber go to CulpeperFest.com. Invite your associates, friends, and family for the celebration of the year. We look forward to seeing you on June 7th.