Trella family
Two years after his
passing, Michael
Trella’s family
continues to honor
his memory by
helping others.
W
school and scholarships. We want to grow the foundation to
hile many people donned fancy hats and went
not only fund the grieving parents, but bolster the scholarships.
out to watch Justify eventually win the 144th
We’d eventually like to reach out to local universities and set up
Kentucky Derby, nearly 250 people were in
scholarships in Michael’s nam e and grow it beyond this little
Imperial at the SNPJ Lodge raising money for I
world we’re in.”
Love You More/The Michael Trella Foundation, which just left
He notes that Michael’s passing brought the family an
the starting gates itself.
outpouring of support from Moon residents as well as people
Named for Michael Trella, who passed away unexpectedly in
from all over the region who had no connection at all.
his sleep in October 2016, at the age of 15, the foundation’s goal
“Moon Township was huge as far as support, but we had
is to “show the kindness Michael expressed by raising money to
people from South Fayette and Upper St. Clair reaching out to
support others in need.”
us too. People just reached out, and it was an amazing thing to
Mark Trella, Michael’s father, says the nascent foundation is
see, just the people who came out to be there for us,” Trella says.
off to a great start, and has been evolving in the past year and a
“It doesn’t change that hole you have in your heart. Our lives will
half to solidify its mission.
never be the same, but it helps you with managing things you’re
“The plan was to help others in any regard and provide some
not ready to manage. It allowed us to grieve without having
scholarships in Moon Township. We gave out some scholarships
to worry about ancillary things. To be
and helped some people in need, but
functional. We’re still here, and now we’re
we’ve also become more focused and
“THE PLAN WAS TO HELP
trying to get back to the community, and
firmed up our identity,” he says.
OTHERS IN ANY REGARD AND
to keep Michael’s memory alive by helping
The people the foundation focuses on
others. That’s the kind of kid he was.”
helping are parents who lose children, like
PROVIDE SOME SCHOLARSHIPS
The Kentucky Derby event will continue
the Trellas, and don’t expect what comes
next.
IN MOON TOWNSHIP. WE GAVE to be the foundation’s main fundraising
vehicle. The Trellas do other smaller
“When you lose a child, you don’t
fundraisers, like participate in the Amazon
expect that. Even in the case of a sick child, OUT SOME SCHOLARSHIPS
Smile program, which donates portions of
you don’t make plans for a funeral; you
AND HELPED SOME PEOPLE
sales to charities, but Trella says he wants
worry about your child getting better,”
to focus on one big event each year. And, if
Trella explains. “No parent should ever
IN NEED, BUT WE’VE ALSO
you didn’t make this year’s event, mark your
worry about how much it’s going to cost
BECOME MORE FOCUSED AND 2019 calendar for a gala like no other. The
them, or be limited financially in terms
event includes bidding on races throughout
of the type of arrangements they need
FIRMED UP OUR IDENTITY.”
the day and culminates with the big Derby
to grieve. If they want an interment in
race. Participants enjoy mint juleps, a silent
a mausoleum, they should have that
auction, live entertainment and more. If you
option. They should be able to give their
want to donate to the foundation, or find
child the best. That’s one arm of the
out more, go to trella27.com. ■
foundation. The other arm is focused on
WEST ALLEGHENY
❘
FALL 2018
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