Community IMpact
Before College
Neighborhood Newspaper
At the age of 6, Nicholas would ride his bike around his neighborhood and bring the newspapers from the end of driveways to his neighbor’s front doors.
Boy Scouts
When Nicholas was younger he would assist the local food bank, Lunch Break, either stocking shelves, preparing the food, or simply providing a smile to a neighbor.
Reach Workcamp
In the 8th grade, Nicholas started to attend week-long mission trips with his church. These trips would take place all along the east coast. Churches would show up and sleep in local schools and help rebuild neighbors in the communities homes. Whether that was painting, building a handicap ramp, putting a new roof on a trailer home, etc.
Holiday express bags
Every year around Christmas, Nicholas and his church youth group would head to the holiday express warehouse. Where they would help assemble gift bags to be sent out. These bags included items like toiletries, gloves, and socks. These gift bags were handed out at the facilities holiday express played at. These bags were sometimes the only gift these individuals would receive during the holiday season.
Post College
Niner Nation gives
Niner Nation Gives is 49 hours of giving back to UNC Charlotte. Nicholas has been an ambassador every year helping to raise money for many different causes on campus. In 2019, Nicholas led initiatives that helped raise over $4,500 in one night for education scholarships. In April 2021, Nicholas was back at it again helping to raise over $6,000 with 250 gifts in just 49 hours. This initiative was about to hit its goal and was ultimately matched dollar for dollar to help support causes such as the student emergency housing fund, the on-campus pantry, the student relief fund, and other funds. In April 2022, Nicholas wanted to try and go after a different demographic of alumni to donate. That year he developed a Swag Box that included a tumbler, hat, t-shirt, and magnet as a way for alumni to donate and to be able to receive something in return. They sold out of all 50 boxes and were able to raise just shy of $1500.
Check-in movement 3k
Earlier in 2021, Nicholas reconnected with the founder Robert Brendle, whom they went to college together and wanted to help out spreading the word of “checking in on your friends and family”. Nicholas loved the idea that Robert had started during the pandemic and wanted to help continue the growth. In the summer of 2021, Nicholas joined the crew over at the Check-In Movement. So during the winter of 2021-2022, Nicholas helped Robert bring back the 3K that they had put on the year prior. In May of 2021, the check-in movement put on a 3k walk/run and was able to raise $10,000 to support an organization called Thompson in Charlotte. So in June 2022, they were able to put on the 3k again in the Camp Northend neighborhood of charlotte. That year they chose the organization of Right Moves For Youth to help support and were able to raise just over $3,000!
Giving Tuesday
In the fall of 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, Nicholas was approached about an opportunity to again give back to his alma mater. Nicholas was aware there was a student pantry on campus but was not aware of the need due to the pandemic. Nicholas rose to the need and was able to raise over $6,000 during Thanksgiving week. He reached out directly to his network and came up with the initiative called “Pack the Truck”. Nicholas took all the money donated and immediately went to Sam’s Club and purchased items that were on the pantry’s most needed items list. In 2021, Nicholas was back at it again except wanted to raise the bar. That year, Nicholas and business partner Robert Brendle put on an event and the first-ever One Movement Holiday Celebration. They had an event at a local bar, where they had silent auction items, a pop-up shop in the parking lot, live music, and even the Davidson vs. Charlotte basketball game. That night they were able to raise over $27,000! For 2022, Nicholas changed the approach once again. This year he partnered with the alumni association and the foundation to throw a watch party for the Davidson vs. Charlotte basketball game at a local brewery. That night they even had swag and challenges for dollars raised. This idea was again a different way to get other involved and was able to raise over $2,000 with 50 gifts to unlock a $1,000 challenge gift!
scholarship
Upon graduation, Nicholas took it upon himself to meet with other alumni from his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. He spoke with them about developing a $10,000 scholarship for members of the current chapter. His goal was to allow a member per semester to be able to attend a conference for further education on leadership. This initiative started in September of 2019 and all the funds and 100% participation from alumni were donated by the spring of 2022 during Niner Nation Gives.