Brave Like Me

03/06/2026

The interview we didn’t know we needed.

Today, Trey Hendrickson gets interviewed by two Brave Kids… and it’s pure joy. 🥹💜
It’s the kind of joy Finnegan was created to bring to every kid who’s ever felt different.

🎥 Hit play. You’re gonna smile.
💜 Made for Brave Kids everywhere.

Thank you to James and Lily for asking the best questions ever!

Meet Finn at https://www.bebrave.org/finn

03/05/2026

🏈 One week until Finn hits the field.

Finnegan the Football officially releases March 10.

The story that Trey Hendrickson and John Otten helped bring to life is almost here, and we cannot wait for kids everywhere to meet Finnegan and his friends.

Game day is almost here. 📚

Get yours here: https://bravelikemefoundation.org/collections/finnegan

03/03/2026

Local shops. Local stories. Local impact. 💛

We sat down with Sara, owner of Wyoming Community Coffee, to talk about why she chose to carry Finnegan the Football in her shop.

In this interview, Sara reads her favorite page from the book and shares why it speaks to her and why bringing this story into her store matters to her.

When you purchase Finnegan locally, you are supporting:
☕ Sarah and her small business
📚 A mission-driven nonprofit
💛 Brave Kids finding where they belong

Community is built cup by cup and story by story.

The book officially goes on sale March 10. Stop by, grab a coffee, and grab your copy.

03/02/2026

This last weekend was different.

It wasn’t just an event.
It was a movement wrapped in cardboard boxes and courage.

20,000 books. Packed. Sealed. Ready to ship across the country as soon as Finnegan the Football arrives.

But numbers don’t tell the story.

The story is about the Brave Builders.

Nearly 100 volunteers between Friday and Sunday.
People who showed up late at night when we realized we needed more hands.
People who came early the next morning without hesitation.
People who didn’t come for recognition. They came for someone they will never meet.

They showed up for the child in another city who is having the worst week of their life and will open a box to find a story that reminds them they are not alone.

They showed up for the mom who just heard news she never imagined she would hear, who will sit beside a hospital bed and read words that help her hold on to hope.

They showed up for the dad who thinks he has to be strong and stoic… and may discover, through a simple story, that strength is not the absence of fear. Strength is being authentically yourself. Scared and brave can coexist.

That’s what this weekend was about.

And we could not have done it without incredible partners who poured into this event:

Thank you to Chick-fil-A Voice of America for feeding our volunteers lunch and bringing the Cow to lift spirits in the best way possible.

Thank you to Einstein Bros. Bagels at Union Centre for fueling us with breakfast so we could start strong.

Thank you to Kemba Credit Union for opening up your Community Center and giving us a space big enough to build something powerful.

Thank you to the Cincinnati Reds for sending Mr. Red to make it unforgettable and fun.

Thank you to Marc Brafman for keeping the energy high all weekend as our DJ and heartbeat.

And most importantly… thank you to every single Brave Builder who taped a box, placed a bookplate, decorated a bookmark, or simply showed up when it mattered.

The world can feel scary. It can feel dark.

But darkness never wins when even the smallest flicker of light exists.

This weekend, we were not a flicker.

We were a blaze.

A blaze of hope that will travel in 20,000 boxes to children’s hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses, and charities all over the country.

To everyone who volunteered.
To everyone who donated a dollar.
To everyone who believes books can carry courage across state lines.

You helped create flickers of light in little hearts everywhere.

And that light is unstoppable.

Thank you, Brave Builders!

02/27/2026

Today the magic begins. 💜

Skid of books are rolling in, volunteers are showing up, and something really special is taking place.

Over the next three days more than 100 volunteers will help us pack and ship 1000’s of books to Brave Kids all across the country just in time for Brave Month!

Every box we pack is more than books.
It is comfort.
It is belonging.
It is a reminder that every child is created perfect, special, and good.

Let’s do this!



02/26/2026

✨ First Look ✨

The full-color version of Finnegan the Football is here 💛🏈

Watching John read his favorite page, with Finn right there beside him, this is what it’s all about.

A story about finding where you belong.
A message every child deserves to hear.
And now it’s coming to life in full color.

We cannot wait for you to experience this book with your Brave Kids.

💛 Official release March 10
💛 Preorders are open now. https://www.bravelikemefoundation.org/finn

02/25/2026

✨ Last Call for Book Bash Volunteers! ✨

Our Book Bash is THIS weekend and we are so close to having everything covered — thank you to everyone who has already signed up to help us make this so special for our Brave Kids 💛

We do have one final need we’re hoping to fill:

👉 Friday anytime from 1:30–5:00 PM

Even if you can only come for part of that time, it would help us so much. Truly, every hour makes a difference.

This event is going to bring thousands of books, smiles, and moments of belonging to children who need it most — and our volunteers are the heart behind all of it.

If you’ve been thinking about helping, this is the perfect time to jump in 🤍

✨ Sign up here: https://dash.pointapp.org/events/526499

Thank you for always showing up for our Brave Kids and for helping us make Brave Month so meaningful.

02/24/2026

Who wore it best 👀🏒
Our friend Puck from Finnegan the Football or Olympic Gold Medalist Jack Hughes?

So tell us…
Who wore it best — Puck or Jack?

Drop your funniest caption below ⬇️
The BEST one by Sunday, March 1 wins a FREE copy of Finnegan the Football 💛🏈

Releasing March 10!

02/23/2026

Meet James. 💛

James is one of our Brave Kids.
His favorite Brave Band word is Relentless and that is exactly who he is.

James’ journey began on Christmas Eve 2013 when his family’s home caught fire. He was rescued, but not before sustaining critical burns that led to months of surgeries and ongoing care that continues today.

Through every step of his journey, James shows up with strength, courage, and a heart that inspires everyone around him. He loves sports, video games, comic books, and brings joy to the people who meet him.

He looks up to Trey Hendrickson and the way he uses his platform for good. And just like Trey, James reminds us what it means to be resilient, strong, and full of heart.

James lives right here in Ohio, and he is a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do.

At Brave Like Me, we are here to make sure kids like James feel seen, supported, and like they truly belong.

💛 You can help us continue this mission
by pre ordering Finnegan the Football, signing up as a donor, or even just sharing this post!

Every book and donation helps us bring more moments of joy, connection, and belonging to Brave Kids just like James.

👉 https://www.bravelikemefoundation.org/finn

02/20/2026

💛✨ So much gratitude for our amazing volunteers ✨💛

This week at Brave Like Me, we were so lucky to be joined by incredible volunteers from BDK who showed up in such a big way to help us fill Brave Buckets that will soon be shipped all across the United States.

Each bucket was carefully prepared with Brave Bands carrying words of encouragement, then labeled with a Brave Like Me sticker. Every bucket represents something bigger than what you see. It carries hope, strength, and a sense of belonging to Brave Kids across the country this spring.

We are so thankful to our generous donors who made these meaningful words and resources possible. Because of you, we get to continue spreading encouragement to children and families nationwide.

And a very special thank you to the wonderful volunteers who showed up this week and made it all happen:
✨ Josie
✨ Jared
✨ John
✨ Grace
✨ Danielle
✨ Colleen

Your time, your energy, and your hearts are making a real difference for so many children.

💛

The BDK Fund

02/19/2026

It started as a story…
now it’s part of something bigger. 💛🏈

Finnegan the Football was written to help children find where they belong, and today it is helping us bring that message to Brave Kids right here in our community.

James, Lily, and Moira are just a few of the Brave Kids who remind us what courage, strength, and heart truly look like.

When you pre order the book, you are not just buying a story.
You are helping create real moments of joy, connection, and belonging for children facing medical challenges.

✨ Pre order now and be part of the impact
👉 https://www.bravelikemefoundation.org/finn

Finnegan the Football by NFL star Trey Hendrickson is a rhyming kids football book about belonging, confidence, and resilience. Buy a book. Help a kid.

02/19/2026

Attention College Students Seeking Internships:

We’re building the founding Brave Like Me Summer Intern Cohort.
Not observers.
Builders.
Builders who aren’t comfortable waiting until after graduation to leave their mark.

If you want in on something real, press play.

Be bold.
Be brave.
Apply today.

https://www.bravelikemefoundation.org/about-us/internships