The Kilar family recently donated $20,000 to the Whitewater Community Foundation to honor their late son Treyton.
Half of the donation amount will go toward the endowment fund to maintain the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams, as well as turf replacement costs, and the other $10,000 will go toward a memorial fund for education on destructive decision-making and scholarships for high school seniors committed to making good decisions.
Treyton Kilar was killed by a drunken driver on Sept. 2, 2010, one month before his seventh birthday. Since that time his family, led by parents Mike and Mary Kilar, has worked to keep their son’s memory alive by building a youth field in honor of Trey’s love of baseball, as well as building a memorial fund focused on scholarships for youth and education on destructive decisions.
“Treyton loved the game of baseball and played it every moment he could,” said the Kilar family. “We loved seeing him play the game and watched him unite his friends while doing so. The idea of a youth baseball field, fit for major leaguers, is a dream they hope will come true very soon. “
The Kilars said the idea to build a fully equipped field in downtown Whitewater came about shortly after Trey’s death by family friends, Rob and Kim Gosh. The Goshes took the idea to Matt Amundson and the Whitewater Park and Recreation Department.
The city gave the go-ahead to begin the fundraising and within two years, $350,000 had been raised toward the goal of building the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams.
“The funds raised to date have been because of the generosity of our community, friends, family, community and university organizations, and strangers near and far,” the Kilars said. “We have been so comforted by the love and support shown to our family, our son, and this project. Our greatest fear is that our beautiful son will be forgotten, but we have been shown by this awesome community that they are with us and Treyton will never be forgotten.”
The Kilars said their recent donation is two-fold: “to honor our son and community with this youth field in the heart of Whitewater, and to continue to build awareness on changing our culture.
“Something has to change to protect all of us as far too many lives are being lost to destructive decisions.”
Funds are still needed to complete the Field of Dreams, but the Kilars expect construction to begin this year.
“We know Treyton will be smiling on all of us,” the Kilars said. “‘Thank you’ isn’t enough to all those who have helped with love, prayers and financial support, but we offer it with grateful hearts. We have felt nothing but love from this community and we can’t wait to honor Trey by seeing his friends play on this field of dreams as he watches them from heaven.”
The proposal for the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams includes a completely fenced-in 225 to 250-foot youth field equipped with concrete block dugouts, bleachers and a scoreboard. If funding allows, the field also will have a restroom, a concession building and lighting.
Estimates on the field range from $475,000 plus, depending on the additions.
How to help
Make a contribution to the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams through the Whitewater Community Foundation Project, Treyton Kilar Field Memorial Fund, First Citizens State Bank, 207 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190.
What an admirable gesture from a family who has suffered an unimaginable heartbreak. To take their tragic loss that has left an entire community shaken, and turn it into an opportunity to educate and improve the community, shows what strong and caring people the Kilars are. Treyton and his beaming smile will always be in our hearts.