Photo: BeLikeTommy Project
The BeLikeTommy Project hosts its third annual race.
After Tommy Nash’s tragic passing in 2021 due to sudden cardiac arrest at the age of 14, the Nash family started the BeLikeTommy Project to continue spreading the kindness and care Tommy brought to the world. This local nonprofit has worked to help support the community both mentally and physically, from toy drives to supplying automated external defibrillator (AED) devices. Now, the BeLikeTommy Project is planning this year’s Tommy’s Olympic Speed Walk.
Event check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. June 15, and from there the festivities begin. Kick off the morning by getting a bit wacky with your getup, from face painting and crazy hair to nail art and tattoos. At 10 a.m., the 1.2-mile speed walk race kicks off and ends with a big celebration. There will be food trucks, bouncy houses, raffle ticket prizes and more to close out the event.
We sat down with Tommy’s parents, Kevin and Nicole Nash, to learn more about the project and speed walk.
Lake Minnetonka Magazine: What has been the most fulfilling part of the BeLikeTommy Project?
Kevin and Nicole Nash (KNN): The BeLikeTommy Project is a labor of love for myself, [my] wife, Nicole, and our three daughters Lauren, Addison and Elizabeth. The tragic and sudden loss of our son and brother left us feeling like we had to do something to honor his unique light, spirit and ability to bring joy to other people. It’s been a little over two years since the BeLikeTommy Project was founded, and we have celebrated him by hosting amazing events that bring joy to others, donating AED devices to local organizations that need them and supporting other nonprofit organizations like the Joy Collaborative that share our mission to bring to others who need it. We have really just begun. While we still suffer and grieve, the BeLikeTommy Project has been a great outlet to take something so terrible and use it to make an impact in the lives of others.
What can the community do to help support the project?
KNN: We have found one of the biggest challenges in all of this is getting the word out to people, so please follow the BeLikeTommy Project on social media, stay in touch with the various events we have going on around the community and bring your families and friends to participate. We promise, you won’t be disappointed that you did!
What will this upcoming youth program entail?
KNN: Tommy had a unique ability to see others where they were and was keenly focused on bringing joy to those often left behind by others. We have heard countless stories from parents about the impact he had on their kids, everything from baking a cake for the birthday of someone in class he barely knew, to helping someone at a party deal with anxiety. The youth program we are working on is all about sharing those stories and the immense impact these small acts of kindness had on the lives of those around him and promoting that kids do more of this themselves. Practice empathy, be there for each other, lift people up when they need it and focus on bringing joy to others.
What can participants expect at Tommy’s Olympic Speed Walk?
KNN: The walk is a morning filled with family fun and joy, and we have a few special guests this year, some of Minnesota’s most famous mascots! Also, if you want to join but it’s not in [your] budget, please reach out to beliketommyproject@gmail.com as free sponsorships are available.
Register for the BeLikeTommy Project Tommy’s Olympic Speed Walk at beliketommy.org
All ages. $30 plus sign up fee. 9 a.m. Mound Westonka High School, 5905 Sunnyfield Road E., Minnetrista; beliketommy.org
BeLikeTommy Project
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Instagram: @beliketommyproject
