Area young professionals are giving back to their community as an initiative spearheaded by the Putnam Greene Young Professionals (PGYP), a networking organization created by a partnership forged between the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. The group’s monthly event, Sip n’ Bites, is hosted by local restaurants who are members of one or both of the Chambers. The February Sip n’ Bites, hosted by Blu Culina Fusion Bistro and sponsored by Lake Oconee Urgent & Primary Care Center, both located at Harmony Crossing in Eatonton, was a terrific success.

“For 2016, it was important to the PGYP board for Sip n’ Bites to not only be an outlet for area young professionals to connect, but to also implement a facet of the event that enabled us to give back to our community,” said Tommy Jeffords, PGPY President. “After much consideration, we decided a wonderful way to bring the community together would be to allow our sponsors to choose a non-profit organization that could benefit from proceeds raised during the monthly Sip n’ Bites.” Dr. Eddie Richardson and Dr. Jameelah Gater of Lake Oconee Urgent & Primary Care Center chose the Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) Foundation as the beneficiary of the February event. Attendees paid a $5 “cover charge” and 100% of the proceeds were donated to the LOA Foundation. Attendees were also given the opportunity to make additional donations above and beyond the $5 cover charge.

“We are proud to sponsor Sip n’ Bites and we were thrilled to designate the LOA Foundation as the charity of the event. We live in a phenomenal community with so many worthy causes. Dr. Gater and I are participating in the Lip Sync competition at this year’s Denim and Diamonds (LOA’s primary fundraiser of the year) to help raise funds for the LOA Foundation. We saw this as a wonderful opportunity to support local professionals while also supporting LOA and their education efforts. Having choices when it comes to education is healthy and we are proud to be affiliated with a school in our area that is excelling and building bright futures for the children of our community. We believe in supporting kids and their education – all kids,” said Dr. Richardson.

LOA Foundation board member, Stacey Urrutia, also attended the event and expressed her appreciation of the contribution made. She thanked all who attended and emphasized that by supporting the LOA Foundation, they were essentially giving the students of LOA opportunities in the arts and athletics, as well as essential facility enhancements such as covered awnings that keep students dry during inclement weather. Urrutia went on to say, “the funds we receive from the county and the state stay in the classroom. So, anything that our students need outside of the classroom falls on the LOA Foundation. This is why your support is needed and appreciated so much.”

Chef Fabio Capparelli of Blu Culina was pleased with the overall response to the event as well saying, “this is a great event. It gives me as a restaurant owner, the opportunity to expose community leaders to my restaurant who might not have come in otherwise and increases revenue. It allows local businesses sponsorship opportunities to gain exposure to their businesses and allows non-profits another outlet to generate funding and support in their communities. Plus, it’s the ideal setting for young professionals to connect and build relationships. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

The next PGYP Sip n’ Bites is Tuesday, March 15 at Maria’s Cantina at Lake Oconee Village from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. BankSouth is the sponsor and has designated the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber and Greene County Chamber as the beneficiaries of the March Sip n’ Bites. Guests are encouraged to stay for dinner after the event. To learn more about PGYP and Sip n’ Bites, “Like” PGYP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PutnamGreeneYP.