Since inception in 2013, A Change for Nick has achieved so much. We have been keeping track of as much as possible and the result is now a stunning list of accomplishments:

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  • We had the rock wall in Ringwood painted in remembrance of Nick and others we have lost fro, heroin overdoses / several times
  • We held a vigil in Nick’s name
  • We set up our Board of Trustees and have met monthly since June 2013
  • We ordered shirts and bracelets for our cause and to generate donations and awareness
  • We have had numerous newspaper articles ongoing in the Trends regarding “A Change for Nick” and the problems in our area
  • We began a Facebook page with over 1,300 likes
  • We began our Website – achangefornick.org
  • We attended the Ringwood police event – hike for Drug Prevention and Awareness
  • We met with council person Ada Erik from West Milford discussing A Change for Nick / it was brought up at a West Milford Council Meeting
  • We attended Red Ribbon week at Lakeland High School
  • We have a sign on Chris’ car spreading awareness
  • Megan spoke with her teacher at West Milford High School regarding Chris and her coming in to discuss A Change for Nick
  • Kacie attended a program at LL in June shortly after Nicholas passed away and spoke about her brother
  • Chris is constantly in contact with other parents who have lost children to this disease
  • We leased our first office space – Lincoln Park for 1 year
  • We gave 3 scholarships to Lakeland students at Portobello in May
  • We attended a Health Fair in Wanaque
  • We ordered shirts and bracelets for our cause and to generate donations – we all sold them
  • We had our first successful event – a Dine and Donate – at Prime 15
  • We had our 1st Pig Roast on Labor Day weekend / volunteers organized and raised money for tricky tray
  • We raised donations with my Dads passing
  • Grace made bracelets and sold them
  • Kayleigh made coloring books and sold them and donated money
  • Mary Ellen Murphy made scarves and sold them and donated money
  • We raised donations with a Holiday event with Stella and Dot for Christmas
  • We met with Ringwood Rotary regarding A Change for Nick.
  • We met with TLC and donated 6k for a person in our area to receive treatment
  • Chris met with Dr. D at Lakeland to discuss A Change for Nick scholarships for 3 or 4 ($1,000.00 dollar scholarships)
  • Rose and Ed gave out 3 scholarships at Portobello to 3 LL students – $500 each
  • We had a donation from the Windsor school – Joe Decelles came to our meeting to present a check
  • We had our 1st annual Silent Auction at the ELKS which was a success – 8k
  • We are selling Empowerment bracelets
  • Chris visited Chapter 5 in Arizona
  • Chris was selected to be an advocacy leader with NCADD-NJ – that’s The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency New Jersey.  Chris also toured Trenton legislature buildings
  • Chris was selected by Donald Hallcom to be on The Governor’s Council on Overdose and Prevention
  • Attended a conference held at Rider University and organized by City of Angels on drugs in our state with leaders from Mercer County
  • We went to a City of Angels Thanksgiving event and had a tour of their facility
  • We sponsored East Arm Rowing Club event and won 1st place
  • Chris became a recovery coach
  • We attended the plunge in Ringwood for Drug Awareness
  • Attended NJPN Convention in Atlantic City
  • Attended Prevention Education Forum in Bergen County
  • Rented office space to conduct meetings, support groups and resource center

Marino sent, along with Yvette, our application for the 501(c)(3) status – we have had so much help from friends and our youth including Grace, Kayleigh, Megan and so many others.  We are off to a great start!