KEY TAKEAWAYS: Young professionals connected with representatives from 27 Northshore nonprofit organizations. The second annual Speed Connection was held Sept. 22 and organized by Northshore Young Professionals and the Northshore Community Foundation. Attendees explored volunteer opportunities , nonprofit board service and ways businesses can support community organizations. Participating nonprofits represented health care, education, social services, environmental conservation, animal welfare and youth programs.   Young professionals met with representatives from 27 nonprofit organizations this week as part of a St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce program designed to connect emerging business leaders with volunteer and community service opportunities across the Northshore. The second annual Speed Connection was held Sept. 22 and organized by the chamber’s Northshore Young Professionals and the Northshore Community Foundation. The Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency hosted the event. Representatives of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, the Northshore Community Foundation (NCF) and Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency (LOPA) gather at the second annual Speed Connection. Pictured are (l-r) are Bailey Morse and Lana Stevens with LOPA, Alyssa Clebert with NCF, Eva Snapp with the Chamber, Christine Beavers with NCF and Nina Magyar, a Chamber Ambassador. Photo courtesy St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. The program uses a fast-paced networking format to introduce participants to nonprofit organizations, their missions and opportunities for community involvement. Organizers said attendees learned about volunteer opportunities, nonprofit board service and ways businesses and their employees can support community organizations. Young professionals meet with nonprofit representatives during Speed Connection to learn about local organizations and opportunities to get involved on the Northshore. Photo courtesy St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. The 27 participating organizations represented a range of causes, including health care, education, social services, animal welfare, environmental conservation and youth programs. Participants included Bayou Lacombe Cardinals, Brooke It Forward Foundation, Children’s Museum of St. Tammany, Council on Aging St. Tammany, Community Christian Concern, East St. Tammany Rainbow Child Care Center, Equine Reflections, Gift-A-Lift, Habitat for Humanity Northshore West and Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany East. Young professionals meet with a representative of Hospice House during Speed Connection, learning about the organization’s work and opportunities to get involved. Photo courtesy St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. Other organizations included Hope House, Hospice House, Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Miracle League Northshore, No Heart Left Behind, Northshore Behavioral Health, Northshore Community Foundation, Northshore Food Bank, Northshore Humane Society and Northshore Technical Community College. Our Friends Closet, Pontchartrain Conservancy, Special Olympics Louisiana, STARC of Louisiana, United Way of Southeast Louisiana and VIA LINK also participated. During Speed Connection, a young professional hears from a Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany East representative about the organization’s mission and volunteer opportunities. Photo courtesy St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. The St. Tammany Chamber represents about 1,000 member organizations, ranging from small local businesses to large corporations with operations or interests on the Northshore. The organization focuses on business advocacy, networking, promotion and economic development in St. Tammany Parish. ...read more read less