Nicholas R Cordrey Foundation

05/30/2026

Nick’s family recently visited Washington, D.C., a city that held a massive piece of his heart and represented so many of his future dreams. While there, they made a special point to visit the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery to honor Nick's lifelong love for American history and the presidency.

​Nick's belief that he would be president one day started when he was just three years old. By age four, he had already memorized all of the U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents. And as a small child, his absolute favorite among them was always Ulysses S. Grant. Walking through the exhibition, his family felt that familiar passion, brilliance, and curiosity around every corner.

​Created by an Act of Congress in 1962, the National Portrait Gallery holds the only complete collection of presidential portraits outside of the White House, stewarding over 1,700 likenesses.

​The gallery was recently refreshed for the nation's 250th anniversary. Visitors can experience:

​Over 60 presidential portraits showcasing the evolution of American leadership.

​Interactive elements, including tactile replicas of Abraham Lincoln's life masks.

​New multimedia features, from video alcoves to behind-the-scenes conservation insights accessible via QR codes or the Bloomberg Connects app.

​Sharing the places and pieces of history that brought Nick so much joy is a beautiful way to keep his memory and big dreams alive. For anyone traveling to D.C., a walk through the "America's Presidents" gallery is a must, and perhaps a chance to pause and appreciate President Grant (or whomever is your favorite), just like Nick did.

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05/12/2026

Let's go Jackets! 🐝

We want to send a HUGE thank you to our Field Day Sponsors this year! The games couldn't happen without you!
Club MMA

Russo Lawn and Landscape Inc



Glenway Auto Center


The Pediatric Dentist - Dr. Trisha McNamara
ENE Contractors
Hattings Supermarket
Nicholas R Cordrey Foundation
McCarthy Law Firm

05/10/2026

Congratulations to our third and final 2026 scholarship recipient, Trevor Banks! 🎓

​A senior at , Trevor perfectly embodies the spirit of NRCF. Already a Certified Nursing Assistant providing direct patient care, he demonstrates the empathy and professionalism of an exceptional healthcare provider.

​Trevor’s leadership extends across the state and the country. He is one of only 16 students selected for the State of Ohio School Safety Council and serves as the President of his SODA chapter . His passion for organ donation advocacy even led him to the national stage as a featured speaker for .info.

​We are honored to support Trevor as he pursues his career as a nurse anesthetist. Congratulations, Trevor!

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05/10/2026

This Mother’s Day, we’re looking back at one of our favorite memories of Nick and his mom - a day filled with laughter, competition, and a big mess - their first mud run.

Today is about celebrating the bonds that never break and the love that carries us through every season.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, in every form, who aren't afraid to get a little dirty to make memories that last forever. 🤍

05/03/2026

On Bereaved Mother’s Day, we hold space for every mother who carries the memory of a child in her heart rather than her arms. This journey requires a quiet, fierce strength that often goes unseen, but today, we see you.

​The Nicholas R. Cordrey Foundation was built on the idea that love doesn’t end with loss, it evolves into a legacy of service, kindness, and community. Whether you honor your child through donation, through scholarships, or through the way you carry their light into the world each day, please know your resilience is a powerful tribute to the bond you share.

​Sending love and recognition to all the mothers navigating this path. Your grace and your child's memory continue to make a difference, every day.

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04/30/2026

Today is Donor Remembrance Day, a time to come together and celebrate the Donor Heroes who have given the gift of life. To symbolize that these heroes and their selfless gifts will never be forgotten, we "plant" forget-me-not flowers in their honor.

​This year, we are especially proud to share Nick’s planting in the AOPO Donor Hero Garden. Nick’s decision to be a donor was one he made with research and deep conviction. He always wanted to do something good for the world and its people, and through his gifts, he did exactly that. It just looks different than we expected.

​Nick saved five lives with seven organs and impacted up to 75 others through tissue donation. By planting a forget-me-not for him today, we ensure his legacy of hope continues to bloom.

​How you can join us:

​Visit Nick’s Planting: Take a moment to view his story and the garden here: https://aopo.org/donor-remembrance-day/donor/nicholas-r-cordrey/

​Plant Your Own: Honor a Donor Hero in your life by planting a virtual forget-me-not at aopo.org.

​Share: Use the hashtag to help us honor all those who have given the gift of life. ​Their stories are lasting. Their impact is eternal. We will always remember.

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Before going on a class trip to DC, Nick obtained a state ID. When the BMV asked if he wanted to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor, Nick said yes. It was a well researched decision he made with full knowledge of what it meant. He discussed it with us – mom, dad, and […]

04/25/2026

The Class of 2026 is truly impressive, and we are officially kicking off our scholarship season!

​A huge congratulations to Kaylee and Trinity, who were selected by our scholarship committee to receive the Nick Scholarship. Our committee put a lot of heart into these selections; while we wish we could recognize every deserving student, we are honored to support these two as they take their next steps.

​This is just the beginning. We have more scholarships to award in the coming weeks as we continue to celebrate this incredible group of seniors. Stay tuned for more updates!

04/22/2026

🌎 Our Power, Our Planet: A Legacy of Choice

​Today is Earth Day 2026, and this year’s theme is "Our Power, Our Planet." It’s a reminder that real, lasting change doesn't just come from the top down, it starts with us, our community, and the choices we make every day.

​At the Nick Foundation, we see that power in action every time a student leads with character or a family chooses to give the gift of life. We are proud to support the next generation of leaders across the tri-state area, helping them harness their own power to build a better future.

​How we’re honoring "Our Power" today:

​Empowering High School Seniors: Our scholarships support the students who are already out there making a difference in sports, the arts, and leadership. They are the power behind tomorrow’s world. 🎓

​The Power of Life (Organ Donation Awareness): One person has the power to save eight lives and impact up to 75 others. We advocate for organ, eye, and tissue donation as the ultimate act of community and renewal. 💚💙

​Health & Resilience (Brain Aneurysm Awareness): We empower our tri-state family with knowledge. Understanding the signs and risks of brain aneurysms is how we protect the people who make our world bright.

​Our planet, and our community, thrives when we recognize the power we hold to care for one another.

​Let’s keep growing, together. 🌱

Photo: A Nick original, that kid loved calendars so much that he wrote a "book" about them at age 5!

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04/21/2026

Selecting scholarship recipients is a responsibility we don't take lightly, and it truly takes a village.

​We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredibly gifted selection committee. They have dedicated countless hours to reviewing nearly 30 applications from across the tri-state (KY, OH, IN). They carefully navigated every transcript, essay, and letter of recommendation to find students who truly embody leadership, a strong work ethic, and a genuine concern for others.

​Whether through excellence in the visual or performing arts, athleticism, or academic discipline, this year’s applicants were truly inspiring.

​We are currently in the middle of awarding these scholarships throughout this week and May. We look forward to sharing the names once these students have been celebrated at their respective Senior Nights!

​It is an honor to see a legacy of character continue through such talented young people. We know the inspiration behind this Foundation would be truly humbled by the impact being made. 🎓✨

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04/09/2026

Today is Create Donate Life Art Day!

​Art has the power to tell a story of hope, healing, and heroics. This Donate Life Month, we are celebrating the incredible gift of organ and tissue donation through the lens of creativity.

​One donor can save up to 8 lives and heal more than 75 others. Today, we honor those heroes and their families by expressing our support through art. Whether you are a professional artist or just love to doodle, your work helps spread the word that donation saves lives.

​How to participate:

🎨 Create a piece of art that represents "The Gift of Life."

📸 Share a photo of your creation in the comments or on your own page.

📝 Remind your friends and family to register as donors!

​Let’s fill our Facebook feed with color and hope today. 🌈

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📸: AI generated