Alana and Tim Oliver started the Nicholas Oliver Memorial Fund to honor their son Nicholas, after they started hearing stories about all the ways he impacted people.
“Sometimes it was keeping them laughing,” Alana said. “Sometimes it was reaching out and noticing them, bringing people in and making sure they felt included. Sometimes people would say Nick just knew when they were having a bad day, and he would always make it better.
“Nick was our son, and we lost him on Christmas in 2020. He was at work at a construction site.”
Nick was only 20 years old at the time of his death.
“Afterward, we started hearing these stories, and it was really sweet,” his mother said.
Alana said their family knew they couldn’t let that go, so they decided to start a nonprofit in his memory.
NickProject2020 was founded in memory of Nicholas, to honor his legacy of how he loved others well—whether they needed to just be noticed, feel encouragement and love, or get lost in laughter.
The Olivers’ mission is to provide scholarships to local graduating high school seniors who plan to attend trade school.
“Nicholas’ love for people and his ability to uplift spirits through laughter serve as a guiding light for us,” the Olivers said in a statement about the vision behind NickProject2020. “We envision a world where every high school graduate can access quality education and training to embark on a fulfilling journey in the trades. As we continue to write our story, each scholarship awarded, every graduate empowered, and every success story becomes a testimony to the legacy of Nicholas. We invite you to join us on this inspiring journey where laughter and love pave the way. Together we will honor Nicholas.”
This year will be the organization’s first to award the $1,000 scholarship to a Rutherford County high school senior to attend their trade school of choice. The deadline to apply is May 10, 2024.
Seniors should complete the online application and submit a creative, fun video up to three minutes long. The video should be about: “ways you ‘find them, see them, make them smile’; what the award means to you; what trade you wish to learn and why; what trade school you are wishing to attend; and, how you envision your future.”
“Through this we hope to honor Nick and his legacy, and how he loved, and help people build their legacies,” Alana said. “Nick was a 2018 Riverdale High School graduate, and he was trying to get into trade school. He was in construction because he loved to work with his hands. Ultimately, he wanted to be a lineman, so he was saving up to go to school for that.”
The Olivers are looking for outstanding Rutherford County seniors who are making a difference in their community, within their schools, and among the people they encounter. Alana said they want to help them continue to make a difference in their communities with the knowledge and value of a skilled trade.
“Nick was my best friend; we were blessed with him, and we want to carry on his memory this way,” said Nick’s father, Tim.
To read more about the the scholarship and to apply, visit nickproject2020.com.
