Bench of Life - Nick Hansen Memorial

As more people have reached out to express interest in donating, I am going to leave the fundraiser open for donations. Anything over the 5k will go towards a gathering to commemorate Nick’s life when the bench is complete. Any funds left over after the bench and gathering will be donated to a cat sanctuary in Nick’s name, Mid Hudson Animal Aid.

We all struggle with our mental health and the battle that can rage inside of our own minds, and sometimes, even the brightest, kindest, and most selfless spirits among us surrender to that battle.

Four years have drifted by since Nick has gone from our lives. For some background, Nick and I met when we were just kids, and we were in a relationship from when he was 15 to 25 years old. These formative years together included high school, college, the start of his career, and every life event in between. It was through these collective experiences that I had the honor of experiencing the true essence of Nick - the way his natural candor uniquely blended with his tender spirit. Nick gave no false impression, and he possessed a deep dedication and commitment to upholding his values, especially protecting his loved ones and the community he served. He maintained this staunch and passionate dedication while also remaining tender towards those who he protected, extending this tender protection to his beloved animal friends. No stray cats in Westchester County passed Nick unpet or unfed, and no vulnerable individual in obvious need of assistance was left to fend for themselves. His bravery in placing himself in vulnerable situations to help those in need was nothing short of admirable and is an achievement from which we can all draw inspiration.

It was through observing his intrepid spirit that I developed my own sense of bravery, which guided me through my professional and personal pursuits, influenced my acts of service, and still guides me today. He made an everlasting imprint on not only my life but also on all of those he served, whether he was in uniform or not.

While he may be gone, his unique spirit will always remain, and I cannot think of a better way to encapsulate his impactful spirit than through a memorial bench overlooking one of his favorite views. While this bench is personal to me, Nick’s untimely death goes far beyond personal memory. I hope that it will serve as a symbol to those who may have lost their ways in life and are looking for respite, self-discovery, connection, and peace. The burdens and struggles of life can feel heavy, and sometimes too heavy, but I hope this bench will serve as a sanctuary - a place to sit, and even if for a few minutes, to let go of those burdens and struggles and find solace in the beautiful view. Whenever someone sits down and embraces the view like Nick always did, I know they will feel his kindred spirit and the gentle guidance and sense of service he left with us. In each of these moments, together and apart, Nick’s legacy will live on, and he will keep fulfilling his dream of protecting the community and people that he cherished.

The bench will be at Nick's favorite park, Croton Point Park. This location allows for Dumor benches at $5,000 a bench, including a 17-word plaque and maintenance. Below is a link to the Westchester County Park's living memorial program for more details.

Westchester County Park's Memorial Service Program