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Young professionals group collects school supplies

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Photo courtesy of Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Mahoning Valley Young Professionals Executive Director Cameron Sobnosky, front left, and MVYP Board Vice President Austin Sambuco join Alison Huffman, seated left, and Hana Hakeem, program and special events managers with Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio, MVYP members and McGuffey PK-8 staff with school supplies collected during MVYP’s Aug. 20 mixer at the Kensington Grille in Canfield. Standing, from left, are James L. Joseph II, 6-8 pod principal and campus leader; Sydney Johnson and Ruby Freeman, school-community liaisons; and Candice Ungaro-Jones, school counselor, all with McGuffey. The supplies will benefit students at the Warren school.

Staff report

Mahoning Valley Young Professionals, an affiliate of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, helped local students start the school year prepared by collecting school supplies for McGuffey PK-8 in Warren during its Aug. 20 mixer at the Kensington Grille in Canfield.

MVYP members donated backpacks, pencils, crayons, markers, notebooks, lunch boxes, disinfectant wipes and other supplies that will soon make their way into the hands of McGuffey students.

"Community involvement is an important part of MVYP and something we want to encourage among young professionals across the Mahoning Valley," said Cameron Sobnosky, MVYP executive director. "Our members stepped up to support local students to help make sure they have what they need and get their school year off to a good start."

Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio worked with MVYP and Warren City Schools to get the donated supplies to McGuffey PK-8.

"This was a great example of the power of relationships and community partnerships. Through our relationship with the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Junior Achievement was able to help introduce the group to Warren City Schools. With two of our JA team members Hana Hakeem and Alison Huffman also involved with MVYP, it was especially meaningful to see these relationships come together to support local students," said Michele Merkel, president of Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio.

"At Junior Achievement, our mission is centered on empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and helping students start the school year prepared and ready to learn is a wonderful reflection of our mission," Merkel said.

"We really appreciate the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals and Junior Achievement for supporting our students with these school supplies. Having the supplies our students need helps them come to school prepared and ready to learn," said James L. Joseph II, principal and campus leader at McGuffey PK-8. "It's always great to see our community come together to support our kids, and we're thankful for their generosity and the difference it makes for our students and families."

MVYP brings together young professionals from businesses and organizations across the Valley through social, educational and charitable opportunities that support professional growth, community involvement and a commitment to the Mahoning Valley.

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