in the memory of
Trey (aka. Budders)
McCleery
We enrich the lives of children in the community.
in the memory of
Trey (aka. Budders)
McCleery
We enrich the lives of children in the community.
Our Mission
On May 9th 2014 we received an official letter from the IRS indicating that our non-profit, 501(c)3 status for Trey McCleery Memorial Fund (DBA Play For Trey Foundation) had officially been approved. The foundation was started in the memory of Trey (aka. Budders) McCleery. As we all know Budder’s was an extraordinarily happy and active kid. We are using this foundation to enrich the lives of children in the community.
My Journey Home
by Jeannine Gill Bernardi
God made me with his own two hands
And said to me, “I have a plan.”
“You will travel down to Earth
To become whole through childbirth.”
“Although you’ll stay a little while
You’ll teach pure love and share your smile.”
“Then I will call you back to me,
And with wings of gold, you will fly free.”
“But Father, they will be so sad.
How can I leave my mom and dad?”
“Yes, my son, their hearts will ache;
Their tears will fill the largest lake.”
“You see, dear Trey, they will know:
I need you to help heaven grow.”
“See, you’re an angel, one of few
Who made a mark on all you knew.”
“God, I’m not afraid to come to you
And help you with the things you do.”
Now I’m flying high above
And looking down with all my love.
You will cry and long for me;
Know I’m with you for eternity.
We will meet up in the sky—
I say so long, and not goodbye.
Dealing with Children’s Grief
Our dear friend, Jeannine Gill Bernardi felt personally affected by Trey’s passing. Her children knew him as a teammate and a friend. She was inspired to write a book about grief as her family was going through the grieving process. Now the book serves other children that are coping with a loss of a loved one.
Learn more about Jeannine and “A Friendship Forever”
Friends of P43
Events, News & Updates
11th Annual Play for Trey Toy Drive
We would love to see you all!
10th Annual Play for Trey Toy Drive
10th Annual Play for Trey Toy Drive!
See you soon!
7th Annual Toy Drive
We usually wait and send this out a little later in the year but this year there are so MANY FAMILIES IN NEED we want to get started early to make this the biggest year yet! 2020 has been a tough year for many! For us, we are going to end this year with LOVE,...
6th Annual Play for Trey Tennis Tournament
The 6th Annual "Play 4 Trey" Tournament will be at the OKC Tennis Center on Saturday, August 29. This is a NET (novice) tournament for all ball colors. To register: https://tennislink.usta.com/Tournaments/TournamentHome/Tournament.aspx?T=249683
6th Annual Toy Drive
Hello All - Please join us Thursday December 5th at the Daniel Gate Clubhouse (6450 Daniels Gate RD, Castle Pines, CO 80108) from 5-8pm for cookies and cocoa for the Trey McCleery Foundation 6th Annual Holiday Toy Drive. We are...
Play for Trey donates to Colorado Young Leaders
Play for Trey makes initial contribution to support Colorado Young Leaders. They are developing young persons with: • clear passion and purpose • a heart for others • the confidence to explore the difference they can make
4th Annual Play for Trey Tennis Tournament
So proud of our family and friends. A couple of the men pictured (Blake, Adam, missing donkey jr) are the compassionate/selfless ones that founded and started Play for Trey and the green bracelets many us of wear that remind us to all live in the moment and live a...
5th Annual Trey McCleery Toy Drive
Thank you everyone!!! We are very humbled and appreciative of your kindness and giving!!! It was another very successful event!! There will be many smiles on kids faces this year!!!!
Jeannine Bernardi – Winning Writers
As a way to honor Trey, process her own grief, and help guide children through theirs, Jeannine wrote A Friendship Forever. Jeannine's goal is to get her story into the hands of children who have experienced any type of loss. She is quoted as saying, "Loss comes in...
A Friendship Forever
Amber Ridge resident Jeannine Bernardi was very personally affected by the loss of Trey McCleery, a Castle Pines resident who passed away in 2014 at the very young age of 6. A nurse by trade, Bernardi has always enjoyed writing but had never written a book until she...
Four Car/Truck Loads of Toys
We finally dropped the toys off last night! Thanks Everyone for donating!!! We have such a strong circle and community. We dropped 4 car/truck loads off this year (3,100 toys) and blew away our numbers from last year! Most important, they stated they were about 1/3...
Beautiful Journey Foundation
Hello Folks – Please join us to raise money for the Beautiful Journey Foundation and the Trey McCleery Memorial Foundation. There will be great food, drinks, dancing, a silent auction, and a poker tournament! Those that attended last year know this event was an...
2nd Annual Trey McCleery Memorial Toy Drive
Amazing turnout out tonight for the 2nd Annual Trey McCleery Memorial Toy drive! Definitely raised more toys than we did last year!!!!! It was awesome to see everyone and thank you so much for the donations. We are all going to make a kids day a little brighter at...
If you are a Dreamer, Come on in!
Love opening the mail and seeing stuff like this! Traci Beem Jackson and Vicki Cherry, thank you soooooo much for making this happen! Awesome! Mrs. Traci Beem Jackson allowed Play for Trey to donate to their fundraiser for their school and students!! Thank you both...
UNC Play for Trey Day!
Taylor Menning turns whole UNC Football Game Day into Play for Trey day!!!!! The rallied the whole school including the band, football team, and student body to Play for Trey!
It’s Been a Tough Year
As many of you know tomorrow will be one year since Budder's passed away. It has been a rough year of grief for us but has also been a year that we have cherished as our eyes have been open to the love and beauty that surrounds us each day. We are far from perfect...
Trey McCleery Memorial Fund – It’s Official
We are pretty excited and very thankful! We received our "Trey McCleery Memorial Fund" official 501(c)(3) documentation on Friday May 8th from the IRS we are/were officially recognized and exempt as of Sept 8th 2014! Thanks for everyone who has donated and been a part...
First Serve Program – Success
Folks - Again thank you for all the continued support, it means so much of us to wake up and see funds still rolling in knowing it will help to continue Trey's legacy and help others #playfortrey. Thanks to Sean and Rachael ODea and their son Seamus for the...
Fundraiser Update
Hello All - Just wanted to give a quick update. Our last fundraiser on January 9th raised $8,600, half of which was donated to the PlayforTrey Foundation! The other half was donated to the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation! Thanks to everyone who supported,...
A Fun Night Out
Hello Folks – Our next event for Trey McCleery Foundation #playfortrey is gonna be a fun one! We have been lucky enough to be asked by some of the best folks we know and our first Colorado friends when we moved here 15 years ago, to join forces with the Emerson...
Browse through our blog to see more information, images and comments about Play for Trey events and updates from the foundation.
Browse through our blog to see more information, images and comments about Play for Trey events and updates from the foundation.
Interested in making a donation today?
