Triangle Charities and Volunteer Organizations

This is the first blog of what I hope will be a long series helping to promote charities and volunteer organizations around the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, which includes the cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.  This region is blessed with great schools, wonderful weather, and terrific people, but even here there is a need for help.

At least once per week I will highlight an organization whose work helps those around us who are in need.  Some of those organizations will be well known such as Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, and the Food Bank of North Carolina.  Others will be new to many readers, but will still have the same lofty and attainable goal of helping those in need.  All of the organizations that I cover will not be charged for this coverage.  Getting the word out for these groups is my way of contributing when I have no money to donate.

Many of us are effected by the current economic situation, but all of us can do something to aid one another.  Even a kind smile in passing can brighten someone's day.  Sharing your time and talents will go a long way as well.  If you are fortunate enough to be able to donate money, I hope that you will do so.

Catholic Charities
The first organization that I'd like to highlight is Catholic Charities.  According to their page on the Diocese of Raleigh's website (http://www.dioceseofraleigh.org/how/social/):

Catholic Charities is a private, nonprofit, social service agency serving the people of Eastern North Carolina. For over 100 years we have continued a rich tradition of providing a wide range of services. All programs are available to individuals and families regardless of race, creed, religion, ability to pay through seven regional offices.

A prime example of its work is witnessed by Catholic Parish Outreach, which is administered by Catholic Charities, but supported by parishes in the Raleigh area. Parishioners have really stepped up to the plate by increasing their support over the past year. For example, the following is an excerpt from a story on the Diocese's website earlier this year:

Rick Miller-Haraway, Raleigh Regional Director of Catholic Charities, says the increased demand for food assistance is being met in several ways, most importantly the donation of 47 tons of food by parishioners in the Raleigh Deanery since July, 2008 in addition to cash donations of $35,000. Miller-Haraway says the parishes “have really stepped up and helped us respond to this demand.” 

Since the story ran, the unemployment rate in the region has continued to rise increasing the requests for aid from Catholic Charities.  This organization also does much more for the community than help provide food for the hungry.  If you would like more information on Catholic Charities please visit the website listed above.  Contact information can be found on that page.


A call for more organizations
If you have a charity or volunteer organization that you would like me to cover, please let me know.  I would be happy to interview a representative and highlight your good work here.  


Thanks for reading and please come back to see more of the good deeds people in our area are doing.  Get involved if you can.  It will make you feel good.