- Call for Appointment
- (984) 222-8000
August 2022 Newsletter
August 19, 2022
October 2022 Newsletter
October 31, 2022
A True Heart for Giving
Getting to Know Jim Branch, Chair, NeighborHealth Growing for Good Campaign
| Jim Branch is a pillar of the Raleigh community. He is a long-time business, community, and Christian leader in Raleigh who, for decades, has given the gift of his incredible time and talents to raise funds for charitable organizations like NeighborHealth, the YMCA of the Triangle, Transitions LifeCare, and countless others. You may remember him as a local youth leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a city league sports coach, or as a founder of North State Bank. Regardless of how you know him, if you know Jim, you know an incredible man who is called by Christ to do good for this community – and to inspire others to do the same. We are proud and humbled he has agreed to serve as the Chair of our Growing for Good campaign, which is currently underway. |
| Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. I grew up in a tiny town in Eastern NC called Enfield until the age of 15. We left that town, and I was transplanted to Raleigh where I attended Broughton High School whose population of 3,000 exceeded the total population of my hometown. I truly felt like Opie from The Andy Griffith Show, but looking back, it was a great move for me, and I’ve since considered Raleigh my true home. After attending college at Wake Forest University, I came back home and enjoyed a successful career in real estate development. But, more importantly, my faith in Christianity became stronger than ever, and I discovered my true purpose – which is supporting those who are less fortunate and helping to foster the next generation of Christians in our community. I’ve spent decades helping inspire the generous people of Raleigh to support important charities that allow others to maintain their health and dignity during difficult times. Q: You have so many great organizations you support. Why did you agree to lead NeighborHealth’s Growing for Good Campaign? I believe wholeheartedly in NeighborHealth. The Lord has put together an incredible team that is working to make a difference in this community, and it’s having an immense impact on so many lives. Raising money to fund this critical expansion will allow NeighborHealth to continue to focus on doing more good than ever and expanding to serve our community – without the fear and worry that comes with burdensome financial debt. With the help of our generous community, I am confident we can reach our goal of raising $500,000 to offset a portion of the significant expenses required to fund this much-needed new clinic space. Q: You’ve been a supporter of NeighborHealth since it was founded in 2018 – how does it feel to see how far the organization has come? From the moment I first heard about the idea to establish NeighborHealth, I knew I wanted to help. Through my work with the Southeast Raleigh YMCA, we were focused on helping to keep communities healthy and prevent illness. Yet, many residents told us they struggled with access to healthcare when they did get sick – too many offices won’t see patients without insurance or who have Medicare or Medicaid. NeighborHealth has always opened its doors to all – regardless of someone’s insurance status or ability to pay. Watching this incredible organization grow has been a bit like raising children. You know, you have this beautiful idea and to watch it blossom and do even better than we could have ever dreamed – it makes me just want to share it with everyone. As I look at how many people NeighborHealth has helped over the years, my heart fills with deep pride and admiration. Q: Why are fundraising and giving to charity so important to you personally? It’s simple. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors and to do to others what we’d have done unto us. If I came upon hard times, I’d want help maintaining my dignity and independence while staying healthy and that’s what NeighborHealth is all about. We’re ready to help everyone and anyone who needs our help. I can’t imagine a better thing to do for your neighbor than to help them with their physical, mental, and spiritual needs. |
I’ve learned that it’s a glorious thing to let go of your money and watch it bloom in ways you’d never imagine.
| Last week, I sat in the lobby of NeighborHealth when a patient asked me if I had something to do with the organization. I proudly told her yes. She told me it was the greatest place she’d ever been and that we were healing her child and saving her life. It was a beautiful moment. I know I can’t take my money with me, but it can live on by helping improve the lives of others – and that is what charity and philanthropic giving are all about. Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. I grew up in a tiny town in Eastern NC called Enfield until the age of 15. We left that town, and I was transplanted to Raleigh where I attended Broughton High School whose population of 3,000 exceeded the total population of my hometown. I truly felt like Opie from The Andy Griffith Show, but looking back, it was a great move for me, and I’ve since considered Raleigh my true home. After attending college at Wake Forest University, I came back home and enjoyed a successful career in real estate development. But, more importantly, my faith in Christianity became stronger than ever, and I discovered my true purpose – which is supporting those who are less fortunate and helping to foster the next generation of Christians in our community. I’ve spent decades helping inspire the generous people of Raleigh to support important charities that allow others to maintain their health and dignity during difficult times. Q: You have so many great organizations you support. Why did you agree to lead NeighborHealth’s Growing for Good Campaign? I believe wholeheartedly in NeighborHealth. The Lord has put together an incredible team that is working to make a difference in this community, and it’s having an immense impact on so many lives. Raising money to fund this critical expansion will allow NeighborHealth to continue to focus on doing more good than ever and expanding to serve our community – without the fear and worry that comes with burdensome financial debt. With the help of our generous community, I am confident we can reach our goal of raising $500,000 to offset a portion of the significant expenses required to fund this much-needed new clinic space. Q: You’ve been a supporter of NeighborHealth since it was founded in 2018 – how does it feel to see how far the organization has come? From the moment I first heard about the idea to establish NeighborHealth, I knew I wanted to help. Through my work with the Southeast Raleigh YMCA, we were focused on helping to keep communities healthy and prevent illness. Yet, many residents told us they struggled with access to healthcare when they did get sick – too many offices won’t see patients without insurance or who have Medicare or Medicaid. NeighborHealth has always opened its doors to all – regardless of someone’s insurance status or ability to pay. Watching this incredible organization grow has been a bit like raising children. You know, you have this beautiful idea and to watch it blossom and do even better than we could have ever dreamed – it makes me just want to share it with everyone. As I look at how many people NeighborHealth has helped over the years, my heart fills with deep pride and admiration. Q: Why are fundraising and giving to charity so important to you personally? It’s simple. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors and to do to others what we’d have done unto us. If I came upon hard times, I’d want help maintaining my dignity and independence while staying healthy and that’s what NeighborHealth is all about. We’re ready to help everyone and anyone who needs our help. I can’t imagine a better thing to do for your neighbor than to help them with their physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Also, I’ve learned that it’s a glorious thing to let go of your money and watch it bloom in ways you’d never imagine. Last week, I sat in the lobby of NeighborHealth when a patient asked me if I had something to do with the organization. I proudly told her yes. She told me it was the greatest place she’d ever been and that we were healing her child and saving her life. It was a beautiful moment. I know I can’t take my money with me, but it can live on by helping improve the lives of others – and that is what charity and philanthropic giving are all about. Q: How has Raleigh changed over the years, and why is an organization like NeighborHealth so critical to our community as we continue to grow? Historically and in smaller communities, churches serve as the safety net of the community by helping to take care of people who can’t take care of themselves. But today, Raleigh is a major metropolitan area and in cities like ours, churches can’t possibly meet all the needs of our growing population. Instead, organizations like NeighborHealth are here to step up and support our community’s most vulnerable residents who would otherwise most likely fall through the cracks. As Wake County grows, organizations like NeighborHealth will help improve the health of our community, while also showing God’s love to the individuals and families who need access to the life-altering healthcare services we provide. Q: What would you like to say to your fellow supporters and prospective donors about the Growing for Good campaign? Please join us in the selfless act of donating to make a difference in the lives of others. By supporting the incredible work the team at NeighborHealth is doing, you can love your neighbors like the Bible tells us to. No donation is too small – and every single dollar raised can have a real impact on someone’s life, today and well into the future. I know that our Raleigh community is a kind, loving and generous place – let’s beat our $500,000 fundraising goal together! |
Serving Christ by loving our neighbors through excellent, compassionate, and accessible health care.
