With fundraising goal met, Field of Dreams project likely to begin in 2013
By Vanessa Lenz
SLN Staff
Fueled by the devastating grief of the loss of their son just before his seventh birthday, Mike and Mary Kilar have spent the past two years trying to get a fully equipped youth baseball field built in downtown Whitewater to honor his memory.
Treyton Kilar, who aspired to be a professional baseball player one day, was killed on Sept. 2, 2010 when his family’s vehicle was struck by a drunken driver.
Plans for the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams were announced early in 2011 to recognize Trey’s love for the grand old game.
The Field of Dreams project got a major boost recently with two big donations, including a $75,000 gift last week that has helped the project meet its fundraising goal.
The donors, Stan and Cindy Jaskolski, are family members of Mike and Mary Kilar.
Their donation comes “on the heels of inspiration” from a $50,000 donation from Golden State Foods, according to Mary Kilar.
The restaurant supply company located in the Whitewater Business Park presented a check to the Whitewater Community Foundation on Jan. 16 to help make the Field of Dreams a reality.
“Their inspiration is simply, love,” Kilar said.
The Jaskolskis said they were touched by previous donations from the Whitewater community and GSF’s most recent gift.
Stan and Cindy said they received a news article detailing the donation, which increased the funds raised via the Community Foundation to $400,000, just $75,000 short of the total needed.
“This article reminded us again what a beautiful child Trey was, and how his parents have steadfastly pursued the dream of building a unique memorial to their son, Trey,” Stan and Cindy said. “Mary and Mike’s response to the unbelievable, tragic loss of Trey, strengthened by their faith, commitment, and love, is inspirational to all whom they touch…and is to be emulated by us all. “
The Jaskolskis said they contributed the money to the Whitewater Community Foundation to support the memorial project to honor Treyton Kilar, his parents, and the entire family.
“We are doing so to recognize not only the pre-mature passing of a vibrant, robust young man, but his parents’ unrelenting spirit to make happen something that is so good, something that will benefit many young Treytons of the future, and something we all want to happen as it brings us together as one,” the Jaskolskis said.
Stan and Cindy started the donation process on Jan. 22, which would have been Treyton’s great-grandpa Vince’s 105th birthday.
“We smiled, as we thought of grandpa Vince, who played baseball on the Pabst Baseball team, and Trey, in heaven, throwing the baseball back and forth to each other. Happiness will never be ours if we do not recognize to some degree that God’s blessings were given us for the well-being of all. Now, let’s play ball,” Stan and Cindy said.
The Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams project now has the funding to start construction of the field this year, according to Mary Kilar.
“We were blessed beyond words to have been given six years with our beautiful son. Now, we continue to be comforted by the love of so many wonderful people. We are humbled. We are thankful,” said Mike and Mary Kilar.
Fundraising will continue in order to add lighting and a family pavilion to at the field.
Plans for Treyton’s Field of Dreams call for a 220-225 foot, youth-sized field with artificial turf, concrete dugouts, fencing, concession stands and lights in Starin Park.
For more information, visit www.treysfield.org.
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.
