A Season of Remembrance
When a six‑year‑old girl from Boulder died in a backyard accident, her memory did not fade; it sparked a movement that now reaches the university’s soccer program. Ellie Pearl Berg loved sports, dancing, music, and making people feel seen, and her brief life left an indelible impression on those who knew her.
Josh Berg, who co‑founded the Be Like Ellie Foundation with his wife Carly after losing Ellie, recalls how he would bring his daughter to Colorado soccer matches to expose her to strong women athletes. Her fascination with the players motivated him to turn his grief into a mission: to spread the simple act of noticing and supporting others.
The foundation’s core message is straightforward: recognize the moments when you can make someone feel seen, and act on them. Whether it is a kind word, a listening ear, or a handwritten note, these small gestures are the building blocks of a compassionate community.
Earlier this week, Josh Berg visited the Colorado Buffaloes soccer team, sharing stories of kindness and leading a team‑building exercise that involved writing down personal interests and exchanging kindness letters. The visit culminated in the team painting uplifting rocks for the Heart Rocks initiative, a project that places bright, encouraging stones around Boulder for strangers to discover.
Starting this season, the Buffaloes will present a Kindness Award at their annual banquet, honoring a player who embodies Ellie’s compassion and leadership. The award is a tribute not only to a young girl’s spirit but also to the power of kindness to shape team culture.
Beyond the field, the Be Like Ellie Foundation aims to inspire future generations to adopt Ellie’s example of empathy and strong female role models. By partnering with schools, community groups, and sports teams, the organization hopes to embed the practice of kindness into everyday life, ensuring that Ellie’s legacy endures in every act of support and recognition.