So How Was It? YEPresent at The Hilton Garden Inn

The Young Emerging Professionals, a committee of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, held their monthly after hours networking event this past Thursday, February 21, 2013. 

Each of these monthly events, or YEPresents, is a chance for attendees to meet their fellow young professionals who live and/or work in the lower Valley. 

YEPresenting at The Hilton Garden Inn

This month's YEPresent was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Shelton. The hotel offered an assortment of free appetizers and an upbeat atmosphere. The staff was very pleasant and helpful before, during, and after the event. 

Community involvemnt 

In keeping with their commitment to community involvement, the group asked attendants to bring new or gently used books with them to this event, which will be donated to Irving School in Derby. The books will help stock the new library shelves as well as be included as a prize for the Student of the Month awards. 

As a YEP Board member, I know what a great area the lower Valley is, but I think it is safe to say that no one really expected the book drive to be so successful. 

As the evening began, I saw many people bring not just one or two books, but bags of young adult and children's books with them. 

Then I saw two men walking in with reusable shopping bags in their hands. Turns out the generous men and women from Mutual Security Credit Union collected multiple bags of books from just one of their office locations!

In one night, during this one event, about 500 books were collected! 

Due to all of the support and the success of the book drive so far, YEP has extended our involvement with the book drive. We will be collecting books through June. Come on down to the next event (details coming soon) or email yep@greatervalleychamber.com to arrange a pickup or dropoff. 

News travels fast

You might know this, but news in the Valley travels fast! Word quickly spread about the book drive success.

The Young Emerging Professionals is constantly gaining momentum. The group started a few years ago and is now beginning to be a recognized name in the area. 

I received an email from one of the founders and past Chairs of YEP, Dan Onofrio, once he heard the news.

Here is what he had to say about the night's success and teamwork, "Wow! Great news and a huge congratulations to everyone on the YEP Board for keeping the wheels moving. When we started this thing in 2009 from a little idea we knew that this area, rich in history and culture, had a bright future. Sometimes it's not always easy to see it; but when we all work together that's when the magic happens."

I couldn't agree with him more. Thank you to everyone who attended this event and to those who donated books. 

Looking ahead

This March, the members of YEP will once again be participating in the annual BHCare Bowl-2-Benefit. Read more about this event here:  

Learn more

To learn more about YEP and how you can get involved, visit us on Facebook or check us out online at CTYEP.com. We look forward to seeing you at our next event.