Stories

Community Impact Team Making a Difference in Our Communities

The Community Impact Team (CIT), in partnership with the , continues to provide a flexible way for people to get involved in community service. The team was created for those who want to make a difference but may not be able to attend Rotary’s Wednesday morning meetings.

Meeting in the evening, the Community Impact Team brings together volunteers from Raymond, Epping, Deerfield, Candia, Nottingham, Fremont, and surrounding communities to identify needs, organize service projects, and work together to make a difference.

Putting Service Into Action

Since getting started, the Community Impact Team has been actively involved in serving our communities. One of its ongoing areas of focus is food insecurity, including volunteer efforts with the New Hampshire Food Bank’s Fresh Rescue program, where volunteers help sort and prepare donated food for distribution to food pantries throughout the state.

More recently, CIT members partnered with the Raymond Area Rotary Club to volunteer at Thunder Run NH, the club’s annual 5K obstacle race. They helped with various aspects of the event, working alongside Rotary members and other community volunteers to help make the race a success.

Helping Local Food Pantries

Food insecurity continues to be an important focus for the Community Impact Team. On October 3rd, CIT will be organizing a community food drive at Market Basket in Epping to help local food pantries fill their shelves and prepare to meet the needs of individuals and families in our area. The food drive is another opportunity for community members to get involved and make a direct impact close to home. Details about collection locations and needed items will be shared as the drive gets underway.

Building Community Through Service

The Community Impact Team is about more than completing service projects. It is also an opportunity to meet people, build relationships, share ideas, and work together for the good of our communities. The team remains flexible, allowing members to participate in projects that fit their schedules and interests. Future projects will continue to reflect the needs of our communities as well as the interests and passions of those who participate.

There Is a Place for You

If you have a heart for service and would like to get involved, there are opportunities to join upcoming projects and help identify new ways to serve. Whether your passion is fighting food insecurity, supporting local organizations, helping with community events, environmental projects, animal-related initiatives, or simply lending a hand where help is needed, the Community Impact Team welcomes you.

The Community Impact Team and Raymond Area Rotary are working together to make a difference—one project, one volunteer, and one community at a time.

For more information or to learn about upcoming service opportunities, contact:

Steve Puderbaugh
📧 spuderbaughdg@gmail.com
📞 603-303-0239

Thank You for Supporting Thunder Run!

Raymond Area Rotary extends our sincere appreciation to everyone who helped make Thunder Run 2026 a success.

We are especially grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, participants, and community partners who gave their time, resources, and energy to support this event. Because of your involvement, Thunder Run helps us raise funds for local service projects, scholarships, youth programs, and food insecurity efforts throughout the communities we serve.

Thank you for helping us Serve to Change Lives and for making Thunder Run a memorable event for our community!

From all of us at Raymond Area Rotary—THANK YOU! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Electronic Recycling Fundraiser Coming October 10

Clear out your electronics and support your local communities! Raymond Area Rotary is hosting an Electronic Recycling Fundraiser on Saturday, October 10, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Raymond Shopping Center parking lot near the Post Office.

One of Rotary International’s seven areas of focus is Protecting the Environment. This fundraiser gives our community an opportunity to put that focus into action by responsibly recycling unwanted electronics while also raising funds to support local nonprofits and students. Almost anything electronic will be accepted. It’s a great time to clean out those old, unused electronics and keep them out of the landfill!

Event Details

Saturday, October 10
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Raymond Shopping Center parking lot, near the Post Office

Please note: Large appliances will NOT be accepted.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will help provide nonprofit grants and scholarships to individuals and organizations in the communities served by Raymond Area Rotary, including:

Candia
Deerfield
Epping
Fremont
Raymond
Nottingham

Your unwanted electronics can make a difference right here in our local communities while helping protect our environment.

Recycle your electronics. Protect our environment. Support your community. Make a difference!

Here is the list and cost of items to be recycled.

Item	Cost	Notes
Air Conditioners	$35
Answering Machines	$5
Audio/Video Equipment	$10
Batteries (lithium, rechargable, etc.)	$5
Calculators	$5
Cameras	$10
CD/DVD/VHS/Blu-Ray Players	$10
Cell Phones, phones	$10
Christmas Lights	$5
Computers	$20
Copiers	$20
CRT televisions	$35
Dehumidifiers	$25
Electric motors & transformers	$5
Electric Typewriters	$10
Fax machines	$20
Flat Screens < 27"	$25
Fluorescent Compact Bulbs	$2	Curly bulbs
Fluorescent Tube Bulbs	$3
Handheld Video Games	$5
Hard-Drives (pre-removed) external	$10
Industrial Equipment (welder, PLC)	$20	robot, oscilloscope
IT & Network (routers, switchers, etc.)	$10
Keyboards	$5
Laptops	$20
Lead Acid Batteries	$10	car
Medical Equipment (no fluids, bio-hazards) Mice	$10 $5

Item	Cost	Notes
Microwaves	$25
Modems	$10
Monitors (flat screen, LCD, LED)	$20
Monitors (tube CRT)	$25
Peripherals (headphone,microphone)	$5	webcam, scanner
Power Adapters & chargers	$5
Printers	$20
Projection TVs	$50
Projectors	$20
Radios	$10
Refrigerators	$30
Servers	$20
Smartboards	$5
Speakers	$5
Stereos	$10
Tablets, iPads, PDAs & MP3 players	$10
Telephones	$5
Television, panel (plasma, LCD, LED)	$25
Televisions < 27"	$25
Test Equipment	$10
Tube TVs	$35
TV or Stereo Wood Consoles	$50
TVs 27" & over	$35
UPS Battery Backup	$20
Vacuums	$20
Video game systems, arcade game cabinets	$15
Video game	$5
Wires, Cables & Cords	$5

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!

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:

Email: raymondrotarynh@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.

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.