North Raleigh

17 magical ways we impact our local community

LaunchRALEIGH: We founded this program to support undeserved entrepreneurs in Raleigh. This program offers 10 weeks of business training, mentoring, access to small loans and networking opportunities. We’ve shared this innovative low cost model with other municipalities in Wake County and now virtually all 12 municipalities in Wake County have a Launch program for entrepreneurs! There are now over 200 LaunchRALEIGH graduates and over 1,000 Launch graduates across Wake County.
Our Stories: Brave Conversations on Race: When Covid-19 was keeping Raleigh area residents inside, we brought together small diverse groups over Zoom. Over six weeks, five White people and five People of Color shared their lived experiences and stories about race. Over 300 men and women went through this program and changed hearts and minds.
King’s Ridge Apartments: In Fall 2025 we expect to be Building Community by working with adults and families recently experiencing homelessness at King’s Ridge apartments built by CASA . Our plan is to host 6 community events to draw out residents for fun and while building friendships and combating loneliness.
Flags for Heroes: We partner with Raleigh Elks Lodge to allow community residents to recognize their favorite Heroes by sponsoring one of hundreds of flags flying from Memorial Day thru Labor Day in North Raleigh at the intersection of Lead Mine Rd. and Millbrook Rd.
Community Food Drive: Performed twice a year, we collect food donations for various organizations that will then distribute the food to those in need.
Mobile Food Market: Usually performed once a quarter, we volunteer at the Martin Street Baptist Church to separate and then distribute food to those in need.

T.C. & Bill Parker Scholarships: For the modest price of $1, anyone at our club meetings can brag about something special that happened in their business or personal life! Each year we manage to fund $1,500 scholarships for 2-3 Wake Tech students. We brag a lot :)

High School Scholarships: We fund College Scholarships each year for amazing students nominated by the Guidance Counselors at Sanderson HS and Millbrook HS.

High School Leadership Program: We interview and send 6+ High School Juniors to an amazing 3-day Leadership Training program hosted by our Rotary District at Camp Oak Hill in Oxford, NC. They join about 100 other students from across central NC learning keys to be effective leaders.

Adopt-a-Highway: Performed twice a year, our club picks up trash along Lynn Road between Lead Mine Road and Ray Road. We received an award since we’ve been doing this for 25 years!

Supporting Alzheimer's Research: We help tackle one of the most frightening diseases for Seniors by fundraising for CART - Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust. This organization funds researchers each year with major grants to support cutting edge research into solving this disease.

Park Cleanup: Performed at least twice a year, we gather at the Sertoma Arts Center and pick up trash around the lake and greenways.

Community Blood Drive: Performed twice a year, we meet at the Lowe’s Foods on Strickland Road and donate blood to The Blood Connection who then distributes the donations to local hospitals.

Senior Center Christmas Party: Members of the club donate Christmas gifts for the participants at the Total Life Center on Departure Drive. We bring joy through songs and just listening!

Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina: Each Spring we support the work this organization is doing to provide teaching and guidance for boys and girls who have been dealt a bad hand in life. In addition to visiting and financial support, several members of the club participate in their annual charity golf tournament.

Habitat for Humanity: Members of the club donate their time and energies to work on a home under construction.

Support Businesses in North Raleigh: We support Launch RALEIGH entrepreneurs as a Sponsor in their annual Business Pitch Contest. Additionally, many of our club members are also members of the North Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. We share with them opportunities to give back to their community and network among like minded leaders.