Right Around the River Blog

Rocketts Landing's Spotlight on the Neighborhood Resource Center

Post Date: 06-11-2012

At Rocketts Landing, we're constantly working hard to make sure residents enjoy a wonderful lifestyle. But our focus on supporting satisfying lives extends beyond Rocketts Landing. We're committed to our neighboring communities' lifestyles, too -- and Fulton Hill's Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) is one of our top causes. A grassroots-driven nonprofit, NRC provides Greater Fulton residents with many needed resources, and we've recently enjoyed some wonderful collaborative moments worth sharing!

Rocketts Red Glare Fundraiser

On May 27, we hosted our inaugural Rocketts Red Glare riverfront celebration featuring Richmond’s only Memorial Day weekend fireworks. In addition to a fantastic turnout (over 4500 people came), we also raised funds for the NRC by donating a portion of our beverage sales (NRC volunteers also helped pour drinks!) — and thanks to some thirsty partygoers and our craft beer and wine vendors, we successfully reached our goal! Rocketts Landing donated nearly $2,500 to the organization, which will help support their variety of programming for children and adults, alike.

“We will use the funds raised from Rocketts Red Glare for general operations that allows us to cover staff and building costs enabling all of NRC's programs,” explains NRC Executive Director Sarah M. Kim. “Our programs include after-school tutoring and [classes] like art, writing, cooking, gardening and more. We also serve a hot meal to all of the kids Monday through Thursday, and serve adults with a Job Support Lab, as well as GED classes, TaeKwonDo, dance and yoga."

We couldn’t imagine the funds supporting a better cause!

NRC Students Visit the Nina and Pinta Ships

When The Columbus Foundation docked their replica ships, the Nina and Pinta, at our marina a few weeks ago, we immediately thought of a group of kids who’d enjoy a field trip to see them! On May 29, we welcomed 20 children from the NRC’s after-school program down to our community for an opportunity to board Christopher Columbus’ replica boats and explore these floating historical museums. Local nonprofit To the Bottom and Back (2BNB) donated free bus rides to and from their destinations, and the ships’ Capt. Sanger welcomed the students with open arms. And if their wide eyes and engaged expressions offered any indication, everyone had a great time!

“This was a special field trip during the school year due to the timing of the ships' arrival in Richmond,” says Kim. “Everyone came back excited and happy!”

Run to the River

Each year, we sponsor the Run to the River, Richmond’s only 10k urban cross country run and 5k walk. Both an awesome, challenging race and NRC fundraiser, we always thoroughly enjoy this annual event. While Run to the River won’t happen until October 20, registration is currently open. In addition to racing, you can choose to register as a “fundrunner” and raise money for the NRC. If running or walking the race isn’t your idea of a good time, you can volunteer or sign up as a new sponsor. Whichever way you get involved, we’re certain you’ll enjoy every minute — as well as the rockin’ afterparty filled with NRC-homemade food, prizes, live music and more!

Rocketts Landing’s NRC support happens year-round and even our residents get behind the cause with their own initiatives. If you’ve not yet visited the center, we encourage you check them out! They have a café, organic garden, Montessori preschool and more, and we’re always amazed at all they do for their community.