Melbourne Chamber’s Space Coast Young Professionals to Host ‘Ugly Sweater Holiday Happy Hour’ Dec. 2
By Space Coast Daily // November 19, 2021
Space Coast business spotlight
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The Melbourne Regional Chamber’s Space Coast Young Professionals council, formerly known as Engage Young Professionals, resumed its in-person networking and community stewardship efforts earlier this year, engaging 20-to-40-year-old working professionals from 35 local businesses.
During two events, SCYP garnered more than $3,900 in donations to area non-profits and recruited 35 new volunteers for those organizations.
The council’s steering committee hopes their third and final event of 2021 – an Ugly Sweater Holiday Happy Hour on Thursday, Dec. 2 – will put the total funds donated at well over $10,000 for the year.
In May, SCYP hosted a networking fundraiser at the newly opened Hotel Melby with proceeds from the event donated to Brevard Public Schools (BPS).
Debra Foley, community relations and P.I.E. program administrator for BPS, spoke to more than 85 young professionals, registered more than 20 volunteers, and received $2,275 in donation value from the event.
“Partnering with local groups and organizations is essential for Brevard Public Schools,” said Foley.
“The Space Coast Young Professionals and the Melbourne Regional Chamber have been very supportive. I’m happy to know the business community will be in good hands when the members and attendees of SCYP become leaders of our communities.”
The second event, a happy hour fundraiser, took place in September at Mainstreet Bar and Grill in downtown Melbourne and benefitted the South Brevard Sharing Center (SBSC).
Of the more than 70 attendees, 15 volunteers signed up to help the non-profit, and more than $1,600 was raised. Interim executive director of the South Brevard Sharing Center Pamela Gunthorpe said, “It’s good to see young professionals caring about our local community. Support from anywhere is always appreciated, but to see young people engaging with local non-profits like SBSC ensures Melbourne a bright future.”
The Space Coast Young Professionals will host their last event of the year, an Ugly Sweater Holiday Happy Hour, at Hell ‘n Blazes Brewing Company in downtown Melbourne from 6-8 p.m. on Dec. 2.
Admission is free with proof of purchase ($15 or greater) from the Salvation Army’s virtual angel tree or $15 at the door. Cash proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army and the Gifts from the Heart Christmas Shop. Attendees should bring proof of gift purchase or $15 cash for entry.
“Think of what we can do now that we have a great committee behind the effort, a full year of events in 2022, and the backing of the Melbourne Regional Chamber and the folks here in Melbourne,” said Ryan Jesenik, chair of SCYP and senior vice president of Orion 180 Insurance Services.
“We are going to raise a bunch of money for community non-profits all while meeting other young professionals and advancing our own business goals. Our goal for the upcoming event on Dec. 2 is to raise $5,000 in cash and gifts. If we do that, we will have raised nearly $10,000 for local non-profits in just seven hours of public event time in 2021 –that’s a good return on the time invested.”
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