Saturday, November 3, 2012

Nate Trinkle Memorial Fund

Nate Trinkle
I was recently contacted by two Olathe East High School students who were reaching out to create a permanent memorial for Nate Trinkle, an Olathe East senior-to-be who was killed in a car accident this past summer.  Nate was a member of the football team and he's been a strong inspiration in the school's recent five-game winning streak and playoff surge.  The phrase "State for Nate" has become the battle cry in the hallways at Olathe East.  

A temporary memorial was created for Nate at the site of the crash, but a recent car accident tampered with it.  These two students are putting together a campaign to help raise funds for a memorial bench to be established in Nate's honor at the location.  The following is a letter they comprised for all Sunflower League and Kansas high school football fans to read.  Please be so kind as to donate to help support the Nate Trinkle Memorial Fund.

--

Dear Sunflower League and Kansas high school football fans,

Our names are Samantha Knese and Dani Sorensen.  The Olathe East football team recently lost a great friend and teammate, Nate Trinkle, to an automobile accident this past summer.  Nate was a dedicated senior on the team.  We are collecting donations to contribute to a permanent memorial bench at the site of his car accident on 143rd St.  The bench is in dedication to Nate and we don't want his family to have to worry about paying for it.  There is currently a memorial set up by family, friends and teammates, but his family wishes to establish a permanent memorial for him.

Our wish is that the Sunflower League and Kansas high school football communities will come together to help a fallen player.  Nate loved his football and his team just like every player in the Sunflower League, and hopefully we can support him and his family through our donations to the memorial.  Everyone is invited to donate to the Trinkle Memorial Fund by sending cash, or checks addressed to Olathe East High School, to the following address:

Kathy Falen, Teacher
Olathe East High School
14545 W 127th St. Olathe, KS 66062

Any donations would be greatly appreciated by the Olathe East football team and his family.

Sincerely,

Samantha Knese and Dani Sorensen

7 comments:

theRev_Carnahan said...

Eli-

As I shared with you via twitter, I really appreciate you sharing the letter the girls sent you. Before the season started, this tragic death rocked the Olathe East football team. They rallied around "Nate for State" but found out early on, no team was going to roll over for them because of their tragedy.

Kudos to the coaching staff and players for rebounding from a rough start to the season. Because of their determination they are now playing to validate State for Nate. Although they face long odds to complete the journey they started they do have a punchers chance moving forward and that is probably all anyone could ask.

I had the great pleasure to coach Nate for three years in football and one in baseball while we lived in Olathe. He was a tremendous leader and competitor not to mention an outstanding teammate. I never saw him give less than his very best. It is easy to understand why so many cared deeply for him. He is missed.

Good luck to his brother Branden and the OE football team going forward, I will be watching and cheering for you!

Olathe said...

Hopefully they are able to raise enough money for the memorial through donations. Nate was a great kid, he deserves a great memorial. Prayers to him and his family.

Free State Fan said...

I sent in a donation today and would like to challenge the wonderful and caring Free State community to do the same. Thank you for sharing this, Eli, and for the opportunity to be a part of the memorial.

Free State Fan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
OE Hawk Mom said...

Eli-
I also want to thank you for sharing this information. It is true, our community and team was rocked by this tragedy.

I watched as his best friends diligently worked to build a temporary memorial in honor of their buddy. But unfortunately, it will not be able to withstand extreme conditions such as weather.

The boys still go often to the sight. This memorial gives them a place to go and share their ups, their downs, and even feel his presence. A permanent structure is needed and I am confident the funds needed will be raised because of such caring people.

Nate is forever in our hearts. "State for Nate"

TheImpaler said...

Checks payable to Trinkle memorial fund or to Olathe East High School?

OE Hawk Mom said...

Everyone is invited to donate to the Trinkle Memorial Fund by sending cash, or checks addressed to:
Olathe East High School

the following address:

Kathy Falen, Teacher
Olathe East High School
14545 W 127th St. Olathe, KS 66062

Thank you for caring!!