Nellie Corriveau
Nellie Corriveau’s company, Nellie’s Champions For Kids, has raised more than $2.5 million to help families with children who have cancer. very grateful. It has taught me what truly matters in life, to count each day as a blessing and that there are so many amazing and giving people in our community that I have had the opportunity to come to know and call friends.
Q: What has NC4K meant for others, especially the kids who have participated as models?
A: I believe it has done the same for them. NC4K has been an opportunity and an outlet for them to give back, pay it forward and grow as a leader and person, too. It is a true testament that when a group of passionate people come together anything is possible.
Q: You are expecting a baby and taking on a new role in the organization. What will that entail?
A: I’m not going anywhere but things are going to look a little different. I am going to become director emeritus and some of the other
leaders are going to step up. By the whole team stepping up, it will mean so much more opportunities in the long term.
Q: What were the challenges of starting and running a nonprofit as a young person?
A: There’s always going to be challenges when you start anything as a young person — being a young woman added another layer to challenge. I always said I did not know any better so I asked for a lot of help. I used my age an advantage rather than a disadvantage. A lot of people got inspired and wanted to get on board.
Q: At one point the name changed from Nellie’s Catwalk For Kids to Nellie’s Champions For Kids. What necessitated the change?
A: We always heard the question, ‘What does a catwalk have to do with cancer?’ We were adding so many different fundraisers, it didn’t fit as well. Title: founder, Nellie’s Champions For Kids
Address: 374 Morrison Road, Suite C
Mission: Helping make life a little easier for pediatric cancer families
Founded: First fundraiser, 2007; nonprofit status, 2009
Staff: 3 employees (1 full time, 2 part time), 2 scholarship interns, 500 volunteers
2016 revenue: $526,396 Website: nc4k.org
Champions — it really encompasses what we’re up to. Everyone is a champion — our families, our donors, our volunteers.
Q: What are your long-term goals for the organization?
A: Our long-term vision is to create a legacy for these families and as an organization. We are striving to be a household name in Columbus because the more people that are aware of our work, the more we can impact the lives of families in need. We just celebrated our 10th-year anniversary and I cannot wait until we celebrate our 20th, 50th and 100th. We are here to support families in our community until there is no more cancer. We are currently exploring an idea of having a cabin in Hocking Hills that families would be able to go stay at a week at a time to relax and recharge.
Q: Will this continue to be your life’s work?
A: Yes, of course! NC4K can never get rid of me. I will be fundraising and advocating until there is no more cancer. I call this my labor of love.