Volunteerism mixed in with mingling and networking equaled an amazingly fun night for Generation United millennials! Sitting outside on a beautiful fall night, the group recently gathered at the Ocotillo Grill in Phoenix for Books ‘n Brews.

“We’re trying to meet them where they’re at,” said Gen U steering committee member Sidney Carthell. “Millennials…like to be around music, mingling with people and eating good food, so we figured we’d just combine all those things and...help kids.”

Millennials brought dozens of books that went into brown paper bags. “We’re decorating paper bags, we’re adding in a book for K-3rd graders and we’re taking all these books to a school in Guadalupe that can use them and give them to the kids,” said Sidney.

“This is our first event of the year,” said Emily. “It’s called ‘Connect to the Cause.’ The idea is that young people are coming and connecting to each other while also giving back to United Way. Tonight’s pillar is ensuring children and youth succeed. So, it’s doing United Way's book drive – Books-In-A-Bag."

Guadalupe Town Councilman Ricky Vital works for the Pascua Yaqui tribe and is thrilled about the volunteer effort. “The children will see there are people outside the community who want to come in and help and partner with them,” said Ricky. “We’re a small knit community but we also have connections outside so we’re trying to fill those connections, build those bridges, allow more people to come in and have the kids appreciate that and also be a part of it.”

In fact, Generation United has made a volunteer commitment to Guadalupe in the months and possibly years ahead. Ricky is pleased with this support and added, “We’re very appreciative to United Way for being out and starting that initial conversation with us and building that relationship with us.”

For those of you who want to raise a glass at the next event, Generation United Engagement Officer Jerry Scheirer shared, “It’s really a chance for people, like millennials, just entering the workforce, maybe getting their feet underneath them, to just get engaged on whatever level they can through volunteering, maybe just giving a little bit.”

Gen U is made up of 5,000 members. “Generation United is United Way’s affinity group that engages young professionals in United Way’s work,” said Jerry. “So we do the advocating for issues that are important to the community, volunteering at United Way events through Generation United – a lot of that focused in the Town of Guadalupe.”

Applications for the Ambassador Program are also launching in November for young professionals who'd like to sharpen their professional skills while promoting Generation United events and even designing their own fundraisers.

“We’re all passionate about giving back to the community," said Emily. "So we’re mixing and mingling and making new friends while volunteering with United Way.”

You can find more information about donating and volunteering at genunited.org