On Tuesday, members of the Barton County Young Professionals group gathered for their third annual Ugly Sweater Christmas party. While the mood was festive and light-hearted, the group was doing some serious good as well, said YP chairman Kristy Straub. Members collected a large box of items for the Barton County Food Bank, along with over $100 in cash donations.
“We like to kick back and have a good time, but our group is committed to giving back to our community as well,” Straub said. “The canned food drive we do is one of the small ways we can use a fun event to help those in need at the same time.”
Admission into the party was a donation for the food bank, but most people brought more than one item. “Almost everyone walked in with a sack full of food,” Straub said. “It was great to see people doing something for others, especially during the holidays.”
The Barton County Young Professionals group is targeted for anyone 21-40-ish who lives or works in the Barton County area. Membership is free, and includes such perks as discounts around town, invites to social and professional networking events, free leadership training and opportunities to get involved in the community.
The growing group will continue its charitable efforts next month with a supply drive for Catholic Social Service’s non-food pantry. Donations of laundry detergent, dish soap, diapers and paper goods will be accepted at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce office, 1125 Williams St., throughout the month of January. In addition, the group will be staffing the doors at Walmart on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to collect donations from shoppers.
For more information about the Barton County Young Professionals group, e-mail bartonyp@gmail.com or contact a member of the Chamber staff at 620-792-2401. The group is also on Facebook.