GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A local nonprofit empowers West Michigan youth by spreading kindness in honor of former Kenowa Hills High School student Noah Tudor.

Noah Tudor’s family remembers him as a nice kid, full of life, who enjoyed playing hockey.

“He struggled through mental health, but he was just a good person. He was always cracking jokes. He was big into magic and he’d blow you away with doing some magic tricks and the card tricks that he did,” said Eddie Tudor, Noah Tudor’s father.

Noah Tudor playing hockey. (Courtesy Eddie Tudor)
Noah Tudor playing hockey. (Courtesy Eddie Tudor)

On Jan. 4, 2022, Noah’s life was cut short at 18 due to fentanyl poisoning. In the time after his death, those close to Noah chose to keep his spirit going.

“Through our grief process, we decided to try to spread kindness,” Eddie Tudor said.

He now runs the nonprofit NT4Kindness. The name honors Noah Tudor and his hockey number 4. The organization’s mission is to inspire young people by highlighting the importance of being good to one another.

Katherine Tudor, Noah Tudor's sister; Eddie Tudor, Noah Tudor's father; and family friend Charles Walkons speak with News 8 on Nov. 26, 2024.
Katherine Tudor, Noah Tudor’s sister; Eddie Tudor, Noah Tudor’s father; and family friend Charles Walkons speak with News 8 on Nov. 26, 2024.

“It’s really the mental health aspect of how kids are nowadays with social media. You see a lot of negativity, and you’re trying to get more of a positive influence in the school,” Eddie Tudor said.

Powered by community donations, the organization makes an impact in several ways. This includes offering a $1,000 scholarship to players with HAWK Hockey in Walker and the Kenowa Hills varsity hockey team.

“The kids, they write an essay, or the parent writes an essay, or a family member. And then we all read them not knowing the names, and then we all decide, like, ‘Oh, we like this one the best,'” Eddie Tudor said.

This holiday season, NT4Kindness has also launched a (thanks)Giving project. The organization is handing out $1,000 grants to nine West Michigan schools, benefiting their counseling programs.

“As soon as they catch on and they know what’s going on, they’re blown away and they’re like, ‘What strings are attached?'” Eddie Tudor said. “Like, no, this is for you. We’re trying to make a difference.”

He says starting NT4Kindness has helped his family manage grief. Others involved with the nonprofit say it’s been amazing to watch it take off.

“It’s like that tragedy-to-triumph moment, where we can keep the spirit going,” said Charles Walkons, a family friend. “It’s been such a beautiful thing to see this group come together, the love that’s being put out there, everybody saying, ‘Yeah, we want to be a part of it too.'”

The community can support NT4Kindness by donating online or by purchasing “Kind Vibes Only” merchandise.