Dave’s Divers Memorial Scholarship with Advocate Christ Medical Foundation
We have awarded the annual scholarship to the Christ Advocate Paramedic class of 2024, the recipients for this year are Ella J and Carly P. Thank you for helping others.
“Before I had learned any of my ALS skills or gained any knowledge, I know I could rely on my human nature to help me with patients…I have learned all my skills but I never lost the ability to hold a hand… Our patient looked over to me with tear filled eyes and slowly took my hand. EMS is full of amazing, dramatic, life-saving procedures but most patients don’t need those, they need the comfort and empathy that may make a dark day just a little brighter” Ella J
“Understanding and empathizing with the fear, sadness, and anger of patients, family members, and even bystanders is the most important part of a paramedic’s interactions…this is a skill that differentiates a good paramedic to a great one. All it takes is one person to change the trajectory of a patients outcome just by showing they care, one person to boost the moral the whole crew’s moral by displaying a positive attitude… Though I may not say that I “Want to change the world” I know that I will. Carly P
Edward Mahay Sr. Memorial Scholarship
In 2023 we established a Scholarship in memory of Edward Mahay Sr.. Also known as Papa, Dad, Mr. Mahay, Officer Mahay and Coach. He encouraged everyone to be their best and work hard. Coach Mahay literally coached thousands of baseball players and left a lasting impact on countless lives. The scholarship is awarded based on talent, commitment to the game, community service and financial need.
Dave’s Divers Supports Gigi Playhouse
Team Brownies and Dave’s Divers support Gigi’s Playhouse on June 2, 2024. Good luck and have great fun on the walk this year!
Team Brownies’ participated in the Tinley Park GigiFIT Acceptance Challenge 2023. Gigi’s Playhouse offers Free therapeutic and educational programs to help individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community be the best they can be! Dave’s Divers supports the mission of global acceptance and cheered on Frank Brown, Emily, Susanne, and David Moss along with the entire team as they took Steps to Accept on June 2, 2023.
Dave’s Divers supports Phoenix Friends of Gigi’s 2023, “It’s great to see such personal growth in Fletcher with such fun activities through Gigi’s Playhouse”.
Students Raise Money to support and pledge their Teacher in the Polar Plunge
The students at Blackhawk Middle School in Bensenville raised money to support and pledge one of their favorite teachers ,William Zeitler. Bill is a special education teacher who supports our mission of helping others, he’s awesome and a winner of the Golden Plunger Award! We continue to support Special Olympics Illinois with such enthusiastic plungers as Dave, Mal and Mike who plunge side by side Bill. We are so happy that they joined Dave’s Divers as plungers in 2021. Thank you!
Scholarships Established with Advocate Christ Medical Foundation
In 2022 Dave’s Divers established a memorial scholarship with Advocate Christ Foundation. Dave became an EMT at Western Illinois University and decided after he graduated to attended Advocate Christ Paramedic School. We will support EMS and Paramedic students annually.
“ I wanna thank the Dave’s Divers scholarship. Hearing Dave’s story was a great inspiration to me and I hope to be as caring as he was when I begin working as a paramedic” -Christ paramedic student Jack R.
“I wanted to personally thank you for giving me the opportunity to apply for this scholarship and thank you for choosing me” - Christ paramedic student David N.
Also awarded scholarships were two EMT students -Vanessa P and Lhiea E.
Dave’s Divers Supports Christmas Without Cancer Annual Golf Outing
July, 2021, 2022, 2024
We are proud to support our good friends at Christmas Without Cancer as they host their ‘Fore A Cause’ Golf Outing. CWC is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago that has been helping southland families battling cancer since 2003. CWC provides gifts and basic necessities to cancer patients and their families in the form of food and gas cards, help with prescriptions or mortgage and rent assistance. Such a worthy cause and we are honored to support them!
Papa Hops Softball Tournament Sponsor
July, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
The Tom Hopkins Foundation provides support to local youth athletics and assists families who have been affected by cancer in the southside community of Chicago. The Papa Hops Softball Tournament allows the foundation to fund their programs throughout the year and Dave’s Divers is thrilled to partner with this great organization.
Dave’s Divers makes donation to Koontz Lake Volunteer Fire Department
April, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Ed and Marie Mahay met with Chief Andy Lawrence and other members of the Koontz Lake Fire Department to present a check on behalf of Dave’s Divers. KLFD is the safety crew for the plunge. With our donations they have been able to purchase new radios and equipment. We are thrilled to support the KLFD while we honor Dave’s legacy. Dave was proud to be a paramedic and support those in his community just like the firefighters of KLFD.
Dave’s Divers take the plunge to support Special Olympics Chicago, Special Children’s Charities
March, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
In March, 2021,2022 and 2024 Dave’s Divers showed no fear as we plunged into the icy waters of Koontz Lake. As a ‘virtual’ team in partnership with the Chicago Polar Plunge held the very same weekend in Chicago, we helped to support the 7,500+ Special Olympians who compete year-round in Chicago. Funds raised cover program costs such as transportation, sports equipment, team uniforms and meals. Plunging for Special Olympics was special to Dave and it will always be the inspiration for Dave’s Divers to ‘do just like Dave did’ – help others while having fun!
Finley Fest Sponsor
The Finley Forever Foundation, established in 2021, is a charitable organization that provides hope, support and financial assistance to families and children affected by cancer in memory of Finley Claire Bracken. Dave’s Divers were happy to be a sponsor for Finley Fest 2022,2024.
Dave’s Divers Supports the Koontz Lake Association
August, 2021
Dave’s Divers is excited to be a Hole Sponsor at the Koontz Lake Association’s golf outing at Hamlet Golf Course. KLA organizes community activities and events for the lake community and also sponsors a number of charitable programs around Koontz Lake and Walkerton throughout the year. The need is great and worthy opportunities are everywhere – we are happy to help make a difference.