Stories

Welcome New Member Michelle

The Raymond Area Rotary Club is excited to welcome Michelle as our newest member!

Michelle brings a heart for service and a passion for making a positive difference in our community. She joins us with enthusiasm to contribute her time and talents to Rotary’s mission of "Service Above Self". Our club members are thrilled to have her on board as we continue to work together on projects that support local needs, foster international goodwill, and create lasting change.

Please join us in welcoming Michelle to the Rotary family—we look forward to serving alongside her in the months and years to come!

RARC Launches New Community Impact Team

The Raymond Area Rotary Club is excited to announce the formation of a new community service effort — designed to expand opportunities for people who want to make a difference but can’t commit to weekly morning meetings. Our club has long met on Wednesday mornings at 7:30 am, and everyone is always welcome to attend. However, we’ve heard from many community members who appreciate Rotary’s mission but have work, family, or other commitments that make morning meetings difficult.

A New Way to Serve Together

The Community Impact Team will bring together individuals from across Raymond, Epping, Deerfield, Candia, Nottingham, and Fremont to serve local needs and build connections. Sponsored by the Raymond Area Rotary, this new group will meet once a month in the early evening to plan service projects and fundraising efforts. The goal is to host at least once service project each month, offering flexible ways to get involved in meaningful work.

Focusing on Real Needs

One major area of focus will be food insecurity — an issue already familiar to our club. Rotary members regularly partner with local food pantries and volunteer at the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester. By including representatives from local food programs, we hope to strengthen collaboration and ensure they have the volunteer support they need.

Other potential project areas will evolve based on the group’s interests and passions. Community members have already shown enthusiasm for environment initiative and animal-related efforts, including support for local dog park projects. Nothing is set in stone — the Community Impact Team is designed to grow and adapt to what matters most in our communities.

Join Us for the First Meeting

The first meeting of the Community Impact Team will be held on Thursday, October 23rd at 5:30 pm in the lower level of Raymond Baptist Church, 145 Route 27, Raymond, NH. Light refreshments will be provided, including subs from Jersey Mike's of Epping. Everyone is invited to come, share ideas, and help shape this new community effort!

First Service Project

Our first hands-on project is already scheduled! On Wednesday, October 30th, a team of up to 12 volunteers will assist at the New Hampshire Food Bank in Manchester through the “Fresh Rescue” program. Volunteers will sort donated frozen goods, repackage them, and prepare them for distribution to food pantries across the state.

If you’re interested in joining the volunteer crew or want to learn more about the Community Impact Team, please contact:
📧 Steve Puderbaugh – spuderbaughdg@gmail.com
📞 603-303-0239

Thunder Run 2025: A Huge Success!

Thunder Run 2025 is officially in the books — and what an incredible day it was! Thanks to the energy, generosity, and spirit of our runners, volunteers, and sponsors, this year’s event was one to remember.

Because of your participation and support, we’re thrilled to share that over $20,000 was raised! These funds will go directly toward meeting worthwhile needs both in our local community and around the world, extending the impact of every step taken on race day.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who laced up their shoes, cheered from the sidelines, volunteered their time, or partnered with us as sponsors. Your involvement made all the difference and helped ensure that Thunder Run 2025 continues to be more than a race — it’s a movement of hope, generosity, and connection.

Check out our Thunder Run Facebook page to see photos and stories from this year’s event — and mark your calendars for Thunder Run 2026!

Community Grant Program

The Raymond Area Rotary Club is excited to announce that applications are open for community grants to support local initiatives! As a club committed to service above self, we’re dedicated to creating lasting change and offering opportunities in our communities. By sharing our fundraising dollars, we hope to empower organizations that are working tirelessly to make a positive impact.

Grant Guidelines:

Service Area: Organizations must serve Raymond, Candia, Epping, Deerfield, Nottingham, or Fremont, NH.
Specific Purpose: Grants should support a specific item or program rather than a general operating budget.
Complete Application: Applications must be thorough and include all supporting documents.
Monthly Review: Applications are reviewed and voted on at our monthly business meetings.
Community Impact Presentation: Though not required, we encourage recipients to present how the grant supported their work at one of our meetings.

To apply, please submit your completed application and supporting documentation by email or mail:

Kate Kucharski, Community Grant Chairperson
Email: raymondarearotarytreasurer@gmail.com

Mailing Address:
Raymond Area Rotary Club
P.O. Box 816
Raymond, NH 03077

All applicants will receive notification of the decision via email, and applications remain active for 90 days. We look forward to partnering with you to help our communities thrive!

You may download the application here.

Changing of the Gavel Celebration

The Raymond Area Rotary Club gathered at Town Cabin Deli & Pub Barnyard Venue to celebrate the annual Changing of the Gavel—a special Rotary tradition that marks the transition of leadership within our club. It was a memorable evening filled with fellowship, great food, and plenty of fun, including some friendly cornhole competition! Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support our mission of Service Above Self.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to President Bruce for an outstanding year of leadership and service. And we warmly welcome incoming President Don—we’re excited for the year ahead and all the opportunities it holds for making a difference in our communities.

Here’s to another impactful year of Rotary service!

Food Collection for Local Food Pantries

One of the areas Raymond Area Rotary has focused on is food insecurity and have volunteered with the NH Food Bank and worked with local food pantries. We recently held a food drive in support of local food pantries in Epping, Raymond, Fremont, and Candia as part of Rotary Day of Service. A heartfelt thank you to Epping Market Basket for generously allowing us to set up our collection and distribution station. Thanks to the community’s support, a significant amount of food was gathered and distributed that day.

Scholarship Program Deadline is May 1st

Posted on Apr 08, 2025

The Raymond Area Rotary Club will be presenting annual scholarships including one $1,000 “Art Richardson Scholarship” award to a graduating high school senior or post-secondary school student who resides in one of the following communities: Deerfield, Epping, Candia, Fremont, Nottingham or Raymond.

The applicant must be a United States citizen who has been or anticipates on being accepted into an accredited post-secondary institution within a year of June 2023.

The Rotary scholarships were established to aid deserving, academically oriented students in furthering their education without the burden of demonstrating financial need, or limiting the student to a specific institution and area of study. Application deadline is May1st.

You may download the Scholarship guide here.

You may download the application here.

Raymond Area Rotary: People of Action at Boxes of Love

The Raymond Area Rotary (RAR) is committed to making a difference in our community. Recently, a team of Rotarians volunteered with Boxes of Love, an organization dedicated to providing assistance to those in need and promoting social welfare through various programs and initiatives.

With the support of generous donors and dedicated volunteers, Boxes of Love continues to make a meaningful impact. The RAR team played an essential role in this mission by helping fill 250 care boxes for seniors living in residential county homes. These boxes, filled with essential items and thoughtful touches, bring comfort and joy to those who need it most.

Raymond Area Rotary is proud to be part of initiatives like this, demonstrating our commitment to service and community support. If you're interested in joining us in making a difference, consider becoming part of our Rotary family!

Raymond Area Rotary Welcomes Scholarship Recipients

At a recent meeting, the RARC had the pleasure of welcoming this year’s college students who received our Raymond Area Rotary Scholarships. The students took the time to share updates on their first year of higher education, providing insights into their academic journeys, challenges, and future aspirations.

From stories of adjusting to campus life to accomplishments in the classroom, each student highlighted the impact of the scholarship on their education. It was inspiring to hear how the support from the Rotary has helped them pursue their goals and explore new opportunities.

The Raymond Area Rotary is proud to invest in the future of our community by supporting these outstanding students. We wish them continued success in their studies and look forward to seeing all they achieve.

Local Rotarian Kate Heads to Ghana

In a heartwarming display of global community spirit, local Rotarian Kate is set to travel to Ghana in July to attend the dedication of the Royal Seed Orphanage Infirmary. The clinic, a beacon of hope and healthcare, was made possible through the efforts of Kate’s parents. The initiative has received overwhelming support from the Raymond Area Rotary members, who have donated essential medical supplies to ensure the clinic is well-equipped to serve the local community. These supplies will accompany Kate on her journey to Ghana, symbolizing the unity and commitment of Rotary to global health and wellness. The clinic’s establishment is also bolstered by a Rotary Global Grant which is in process and will provide additional funding and support for the clinic’s operations and sustainability.

For more information on the project or to learn how you can support similar initiatives, please contact the Raymond Area Rotary Club.