For over 90 years, the South Carolina Junior Chamber of Commerce, more commonly known as the SC Jaycees (http://scjaycees.org/)  has provided young professionals with the tools needed to succeed in areas of business development, management skills, individual training and community service. The tradition continues with the recently established Beaufort chapter, the Lowcountry Jaycees.

In partnership with the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Port Royal, the Lowcountry Jaycees’ goal is to create a better community by providing personal growth, leadership development and community involvement opportunities for men and women between the ages of 21 and 40. They meet at 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month; in April they plan to meet at Groucho’s Deli on Lady’s Island.

Lowcountry Jaycees Vice President, Ben Boswell, recently attended the SC Jaycees’ annual year-end convention in Rock Hill and saw first-hand the infinite potential for this organization to enact positive change in the Beaufort community. Since the beginning of 2014, the chapter has brought together many young professionals who share a passion to make Beaufort County stronger. The members share a mutual compassion for the homeless community and are hoping to reach out to individuals in need in the future.

Since 1969, a priority of the SC Jaycees has been to raise funds for Camp Hope, located in Pendleton, SC. Camp Hope is a statewide residential camp for citizens with disabilities. Campers receive helpful experiences in an outdoor environment, develop the ability to work and play as a group, and provide new experiences unique to a camp setting.

The Lowcountry Jaycees’ will support the Camp Hope priority, while contributing to a local cause, during their inaugural Tailgate Off! at Live Oaks Park in Port Royal on April 12, 2014. The event, from 3 to 8 p.m., will feature a cornhole tournament with a cash prize, the band Bootless, bouncy castles and cotton candy for the kids. Proceeds from cotton candy sales will benefit the Stand Up for Kelli fund (https://www.facebook.com/standupforkellibright).

The Lowcountry Jaycees are looking for young professionals interested in making a positive impact in the Beaufort community. For more information on membership, contact the Lowcountry Jaycees at lowcountryjaycees@gmail.com, or call Lowcountry Jaycees’ President Courtney Duncan at 843-603-1187. Connect with them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LowcountryJaycees.

<i>Contact CompassionateStory@gmail.com if you hear of, see, or are involved in such acts of caring and sharing. We all need to share in the conversation about what makes Beaufort a compassionate city and publicizing such stories is one way to do it. Visit Facebook, Compassionate Beaufort Communities if you want to learn more about this and other programs being initiated.</i>