A group of young professionals in the area continues to network in the community promoting development and community involvement.

The Washington Young Professionals group, formed in October 2013 under the Washington-Beaufort Chamber of Commerce umbrella, hopes to become an area asset through community service projects, benefitting area nonprofits, said Jeanne Niederhauser, Young Professionals member and business manager at the Chamber.

Meg Howdy, president of the group’s steering committee, said the group hopes to get more focused in not only professional networking, but also become more involved in the community. Having set a goal of at least one community service project per year, the group hopes to reach its goal of a community presence by its outreach to area nonprofits and other worthy initiatives.

“We have a purpose for why we’re working as a group — opportunities to meet others and broaden our network and the opportunity to mentor one another, which is such an important thing for our age group,” Howdy said. “We’re excited about our involvement with local business owners and everybody has really gotten together with this group. We have some wonderful people that have got this started, and we’re hoping to continue carrying that torch and get some other people involved.”

Niederhauser said the group has several things on tap in the coming months to give area professionals, especially those who are just starting their careers, a way to get involved and meet other professionals and people in the area.

“I feel like when you’re young and just starting out in your first job, you want to know what is going on in the community and what things are in the community to help with your job and what nonprofits that you may want to get involved in,” Niederhauser said. “We want to establish a presence in the community and just stay informed on local issues and things happening.”

Last month, members of the group hosted a Wine and Design event, to which attendees made donations that were, in turn, donated to Ruth’s House, the Beaufort County-based domestic violence shelter. Last year, during local political races, the group hosted a candidates’ forum. It also conducted jail tours during the Beaufort County Public Safety Facility debate, giving participants a first-hand look at issues surrounding the debate, Niederhauser said. A social media networking seminar, Learn 2 Lead, was also held last year to give members a leg up in leadership and other tools for success, which included guidance via Skype from nationally known businessmen and women.

On Aug. 12, the group, for area professionals ages 18 to 45, will host its inaugural Wine and Cheese Paddle, a social event that will give attendees a chance to get out on the water via watercraft from Inner Banks Outfitters. The group also plans to host a networking event at the Washington-Beaufort Chamber of Commerce this fall that will involve attendees bringing a donation for Bright Futures, an active initiative that is ongoing through a partnership between Beaufort County Schools, the Chamber and Potash Corp-Aurora.

For more information or to join Washington’s Young Professionals, contact Jeanne Niederhauser at Washington-Beaufort Chamber of Commerce at 252-946-9168 or email at Jeanne@wbcchamber.com.