Packing more than 1,000 boxes of food in two hours for low-income families and individuals in ChathamCounty.

Picking up trash on the beaches of TybeeIsland.

Volunteering at the Special Olympics.

Participating in a “poverty simulation” sponsored by Step Up Savannah.

Those are just a few of this year’s volunteer efforts undertaken by members of United Way of the Coastal Empire’s newly formed Young Leaders Society.

As the local group wraps up its first year, the YLS continues to gain momentum.  More and more up-and-coming Savannahians are actively engaging in their community by donating money and volunteering their time and talents.

The aim of YLS is to tap young, energetic locals who might not be as likely to donate as much as senior members but who are interested in volunteering to improve neighborhoods and strengthen the community.

Young Leaders are individuals younger than 45 who contribute annually to United Way of the Coastal Empire.  A scaled donation program allows a broad group of donors to participate.  Members age 30 and younger commit to a minimum annual donation of $365 or more.  At ages 31 to 35, that number increases to $600 or more per year.  From ages 36 to 45, members must donate $1,200 or more annually.

The United Way of the Coastal Empire’s YLS chapter has about 150 members, contributing more than $97,000 for the four-county area.  And that’s just the beginning.

“We can’t give hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations,” said Mike Young, chair of United Way of the Coastal Empire’s YLS and vice president and chief operating officer at Chatham Steel Corporation. “But we can give a lot of volunteer time.”

Gifts that Give Back

Cody Hetzel, United Way of the Coastal Empire’s division director of the campaign, began to develop the Coastal Empire’s YLS in 2008 with a simple goal in mind: to provide opportunities for its members to become better informed about their community and position them to make a difference where they live.

The community benefits from the donations YLS members give through the United Way’s fund-raising campaign, which supports more than 100 programs and services across Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.

YLS members have much to gain, too, Hetzel said.  They acquire valuable experience through leadership workshops, volunteer projects, business networking events and other services.

“The companies that YLS members work for also benefit from the skills, knowledge and experience they gain, which they bring back to the workplace,’’ Hetzel said.

Learning to Lead

United Way’s long-standing partnerships with corporate, nonprofit and local government entities have much to offer the avid learners.

This year, YLS members gained firsthand leadership experience.  They served on the boards of directors of select nonprofits to learn how the groups operate — and to become better connected to the community, Young said.

“As they progress in their personal and professional lives, through YLS they will build strong connections with their peers and gain an understanding of the unique needs and resources that are vital in shaping the future of Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty counties,” Hetzel said.

In its first year, United Way’s YLS has really taken off and become a successful growth initiative, said Gregg Schroeder, president and CEO of the United Way of the Coastal Empire.

“YLS provides a balance between individual development and community service by connecting the group to volunteer opportunities throughout our four-county area,” added Schroeder.

Mentoring and More

But Young Leaders Society isn’t just about volunteering.

This year’s activities included a business etiquette class as well as social networking events with prominent local leaders.

YLS members enjoy a full roster of educational, social and service events designed to help them improve their leadership skills and expand their personal and professional contacts.

In other words, YLS puts the “social” back in social change.  And that’s something any Savannahian can appreciate.