Raleigh Wealth Solutions has started a “Champions of the Community” segment on the radio where we highlight members of the community who are going above and beyond to make our community a better place to live and work. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured as a “Champion of the Community”, please email jill@raleighwealthsolutions.com.
See below for previous Champion of the Community features.
2024
Dallas Bonavita
Note In The Pocket
Dallas serves as the Executive Director for Note in the Pocket and was a founding member of its Board of Directors. Note in the Pocket improves educational equity by addressing clothing insecurity. It was started through a teacher’s vision to ensure all her students had seasonally appropriate clothing for school. When temperatures began to drop, she sent her student’s home with a coat and a note in the pocket explaining that the coat was theirs to keep. What started in a single classroom, has now spread to an entire community. A simple “Note in the Pocket” can have an immeasurable impact on the life of a child when it conveys a powerful message—you are loved.
Jeanhee Hoffman
GiGi's Playhouse Raleigh
It’s never too late! Jeanhee Hoffman, Executive Director and Founder of GiGi’s Playhouse Raleigh believes in the power of this idea! As a sibling of Sam, an adult with Down syndrome, Jeanhee was inspired to bring a GiGi’s Playhouse to the Triangle area because she saw the value in GiGi’s LIFETIME commitment. When she was growing up, there was nothing like a GiGi’s Playhouse, that offers free educational, therapeutic-based and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and the community. GiGi’s Playhouse mission is to change the way the world views Down syndrome and to send a global message of acceptance for all. Whether you’re a family with a newborn with Down syndrome or an adult like Sam, there’s a place for you at GiGi’s Playhouse!
Keith Poston
Wake Education Partnership
For 40 years, Wake Education Partnership (WakeEd) has served as the only 501(c)(3) local education nonprofit dedicated exclusively to support the Wake County Public School System, the largest public school district in North Carolina. By supporting Wake County Public Schools, WakeEd serves the school district’s 160,000 students and 20,000 teachers and staff. WakeEd’s programs provide professional development, literacy support, career preparation, high dosage tutoring, and free classroom supplies to ensure the school district’s teachers and students have the skills and tools they need to succeed in the classroom and in their careers. Keith Poston joined WakeEd as President in April 2020, bringing more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, corporate communications, and strategic philanthropy to the role.
Mollie Doll
Freedom Ride
Mollie Doll is the Chief of Pawsibities of Freedom Ride. Freedom Ride Rescue is a network of passionate dog lovers in the Triangle area who foster dogs in need, helping the pups find their forever homes. Fosters open their homes to dogs from county animal shelters from across the state. Freedom ride rescues dogs of all kinds and has saved over 3,200 pooches since their beginning 5 years ago. With the help of their amazing volunteer team, they have adoption events every weekend, including their 5th anniversary party on August 10th and a Turkey Day 5K held in Garner annually.
Pepe Caudillo
The Brentwood Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club has been helping Wake County youth reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens for over 50 years. Shortly after moving to the United States from Mexico City, Pepe Caudillo became the director of the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club. He oversees the Photography and Arts programs for all 7 Boys & Girls clubs in Wake County. Other programs that Pepe is involved in that serve his community include the Artspace Board, the NC Museum of Artists Collective, and the Inter-Latin American Artist Collective.
Lorraine Dixon & Myra McCloud
The Lion’s Club
The Lion’s Club meets the needs of local communities around the world with many different types of volunteer projects. They are best known for their mission of fighting blindness and providing vision for all. Lorraine joined the Lion’s Club in 2002, as the first woman allowed in the Wendell club. Lorraine has worked diligently to serve vision needs as District Governor of the Wendell Club. Myra became a member of the Lion’s Club in 2010, and as the Brighter Visions Chair, created a Visual Information Technology Committee to conduct research to help the visually impaired. Myra has just completed her tour as District Governor, speaking to clubs all over the state about assistive technology for the visually impaired.
Cindy Hudson
Do It 4 W Foundation
Cindy Hudson is the President of the Do It 4 W Foundation. This foundation was started by her and her two sons, shortly after her husband/their father passed away after a long-fought battle with cancer. William, or as many liked to call him, W.C., lived his life, exhibiting core traits of Leadership, Athletics, Academics, and Faith. He was also a huge contributor to the community throughout his lifetime, whether it was through coaching, church events, or just helping a neighbor on a Saturday afternoon in the yard. Cindy and her sons wanted to continue his legacy by starting a foundation that assists youth, who exhibit these core values, in pursuing their future aspirations. They are continuing to expand and get the word out about their Foundation, with the long-term objective of providing financial assistance to deserving individuals by hosting fundraisers (such as 5K races, sports tournaments, and raffles), and facilitating a professional network for their scholarship winners.
Ron Pringle
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Over the course of more than 20 years, Ron has built a successful career in Non-Profit Leadership. As an experienced leader, he is skilled at developing, optimizing, motivating, and leading highly effective work teams. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Springfield College in Charleston, SC, Ron was an Assistant Chaplain in the US Airforce during Desert Storm. Upon returning to the US, Ron continued to build his career, and carries a wealth of experience in the food bank industry. In May 2020, Ron became the President & CEO of the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Raleigh, NC. Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is a nonpartisan, 501c3 non-profit organization that distributes food to low-income families. They also provide programs like culinary job training, beginner gardening, and cooking healthy on a budget to help empower people with the skills to meet their own food needs. Ron serves his community, speaks on behalf of those underserved, and improves their quality of life through transformational programs and services.
Katie-Rose Crater
American Diabetes Association
Katie-Rose (KR) Crater is the Director of Development for North Carolina at the American Diabetes Association. She is driven by the mission of ADA, which is to prevent and cure diabetes to improve the lives of all people affected by it. She was formerly the manager of the NC Tour de Cure (a cycling fundraising event), which became the Triangle Tour de Cure. During and after her first employment at ADA, KR volunteered as a camp counselor at Camp Carolina Trails. A graduate and varsity letterman of UNC-Chapel Hill, Katie-Rose is a proud Tarheel, avid cyclist, runner, backpacker, and gardener. Katie-Rose lives just outside of Raleigh, NC.
Sherry Shudra
With Read and Feed
Sherry Shudra serves as the Executive Director of Read and Feed, where the mission is to strengthen literacy skills among underserved elementary school children and provide meals in a nurturing neighborhood environment. Their vision is to have a community in which all children have the confidence and the ability to succeed. Read and Feed's core values are to make reading fun, commit to nourishing the whole child, deliver services in a familiar community location, collaborate with neighbors/partners, and dedicate themselves to equity in education. Sherry is passionate about helping economically disadvantaged children learn to read and overcome pandemic and summer learning loss.
Darlene Whitehurst & Liz McBride
GoalFriends
Darlene Whitehurst is the Founder + CEO of GF Global, LLC featuring the global brand, GoalFriends®, and the Executive Director of the GoalFriends Global Foundation. She has built and currently leads an international community of over 1,000+ female members, connecting 42 countries. Her programs are designed to inspire life transformations by teaching strategies on dream-making, goal-setting, and purposeful living. Within one year of joining the GoalFriend community, Liz McBride was named the “National Ambassador of the Year”. She has been an integral part of the exponential growth of GoalFriends. Liz advocates teaching and educating the community in personal development and thought leadership. Her goal is to establish an outreach program or center to cater to marginalized, rural communities and to make an impact on our future female leaders and their families. GoalFriends is a fun and engaging community-based program designed to inspire and encourage women to come together to support each other in their dreams and goals!
2023
Nichole Olbertz
Wreaths Across America
Nichole Olbertz and her family have been involved with Wreaths Across America for many years. The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom. This organization runs all year long, but their big day comes in December when volunteers gather at cemeteries across America to lay wreaths at every soldier's grave. As volunteers lay the wreath, they are asked to say the soldier's name out loud and thank them for their service to honor them and keep their memory alive. There are more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea, and even abroad. The Olbertz family started by sponsoring wreaths for their grandparents’ grave in the Arlington National Cemetery. They have also donated to cover the cost of extra wreaths for soldiers that didn’t have families to sponsor theirs.
Lincoln Flagg
With The Jr. Canes Program
Lincoln Flagg is the general manager of the Jr. Canes program. He has been coaching professionally for 30 years at both the Junior A and Youth hockey levels. The Junior Canes program focuses on discipline, commitment, teamwork, and a desire to improve. The program serves as a pathway to get to the next level and has sent former players to a variety of high caliber leagues including the NCAA, NAHL, and the ACHA to play at the next level. Over the past five years, the program has helped to place over 40 players into college and college hockey. The lessons and values instilled from being a member of a program like this are something that will forever be applicable in one's life.
Amy Smith
With The Women’s Center
Amy Smith is the Executive Director of The Women’s Center, a non-profit day center that serves 80-100 women a day. She has been helping women in the community who are experiencing homelessness for over twenty years. As the only day center in Wake County, The Women’s Center provides security, meals, showers, areas for sleeping, and health care to these women in need. Since the program began in 2019, they have housed over 50 women! To learn more about The Women’s Center, click the button below.
Tim Chlopowicz
With Second Chance Adoptions
Tim is a volunteer with Second Chance Pet Adoptions who has helped raise over $50,000 for the organization. He started raising money in July of 2020 when North Carolina was the 3rd highest state for pet euthanasia in the country. During his time with Second Chance Pet Adoptions, he has helped over 1,900 cats/dogs find adoptive homes, has rescued over 850 cats/dogs through their transport program, and has helped fund spay/neuter surgeries for over 2,300 animals. Tim has gotten donations from 33 different states and eight different countries so far. To learn more about Tim's work with Second Chance Adoptions, click the button below.
Roxanne Blackburn
With Granville County Animal Shelter (GCAS)
Roxanne Blackburn has been a volunteer at the Granville County Animal Shelter (GCAS) for eight years. She is the shelter’s “Volunteer Rescue Coordinator.” Her responsibilities include serving as an adoption counselor, contacting animal rescues, and coordinating transportation for animals to arrive safely at their rescue or foster families. Roxanne answers messages and phone calls 24/7 to assist the community in reuniting lost pets with their families. Her efforts are responsible for reuniting hundreds of lost animals with their happy owners! In addition to her work at the GCAS, Roxanne founded a 501(c) called “Rocky’s Bridge, Inc.” This organization helps provide vet care for owners who love their pets but may not have the financial stability to afford vet care. “Rocky’s Bridge Inc.” also provides medical care for animals currently in the shelter that need more stabilization or surgeries than the shelter can afford. In 2021, Roxanne won the Governors Medallion Award for Volunteer Service. To learn more about GCAS, click the button below.
Kara Mulligan
With Friends of Wake Gal
Kara is a board administrator for Friends of Wake GAL which is a nonprofit organization in Wake County that helps support kids in foster care. Raleigh Wealth Solutions has worked with this organization for the past two years, raising over $20,000 and creating a financial literacy program for them. In Wake County, there are currently 429 kids in foster care. GAL provides an advocate for each of these children to ensure they can get the things they need like tutoring, equipment to play sports, scholarships once they turn 18, and more. For more information about volunteering or partnering with this organization, you can click the button below.
