Teen honors uncle with Down syndrome by raising $10K through sports card fundraiser

May 27, 2026 - 10:28

A high school junior in Cincinnati turned his love for sports cards into a fundraiser that brought in $10,000 for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati. Ezra Cohen, a student at Cincinnati Country Day, organized the event called "Cards for Community" in Blue Ash. The gathering drew more than 40 vendors and hundreds of collectors who came together to buy, sell, and trade cards for a cause.

Cohen said the fundraiser was personal. He wanted to honor his uncle, who has Down syndrome. The idea came from a simple conversation with his family about how to combine his hobby with something meaningful. Instead of just collecting cards for himself, he decided to use the community of collectors to raise money and awareness.

The event took over a large space in Blue Ash, with tables packed full of baseball, basketball, and football cards. Collectors of all ages walked through the aisles, looking for rare finds and making deals. Cohen and a team of volunteers handled the logistics, from vendor registration to donations. Every dollar from entry fees and a portion of sales went directly to the Down Syndrome Association.

Cohen said he was surprised by how quickly the community responded. Vendors offered to donate tables, and local businesses helped spread the word. By the end of the day, the total hit $10,000. For Cohen, the success was not just about the money. It was about showing that a teenager with a hobby can make a real difference. He hopes the event becomes an annual tradition.