2024 Friends of Scouting Luncheon: A Celebration of Leadership and Community Impact

On October 1, 2024, the PNC Arena was abuzz with excitement as the Occoneechee Council, Boy Scouts of America, hosted the highly anticipated 2024 Friends of Scouting Luncheon.

This year’s event promised to be a memorable gathering, bringing together the Triangle’s top 200 business leaders to honor an exceptional individual and support a cause that shapes the future of our youth.

The luncheon, proudly sponsored by Ward and Smith, will recognize Frank B. Holding, Jr., the esteemed Chairman and CEO of First Citizens Bank and an Eagle Scout. Holding’s commitment to leadership and community service embodies the core principles of Scouting – character, citizenship, leadership, patriotism, self-reliance, and personal fitness.

The goal for this hallmark event was ambitious: to raise $2,000,000 to support local Scouting programs. These funds are crucial in removing financial barriers for youth participation and expanding outreach programs to serve at-risk youth in underserved communities. By ensuring that every child has the opportunity to engage in Scouting, the Occoneechee Council aims to foster a new generation of leaders equipped with essential life skills.