Article About Dave's Divers Advocate Health Care Charitable Foundation

Taking the plunge and giving back in memory of Dave

July 9, 2025

Dave Mahay

Dave Mahay was known for his creativity, kindness and sense of humor. 

“He was one of 18 cousins on his father’s side, and they’d exchange gag gifts every Christmas,” recalled his mother, Marie. “One year, he made a bird cage for one of his cousins and gave her an actual bird.”

But more than anything, Dave was known for his compassionate and empathetic spirit, which often made him the first person to lend a hand to someone in need. 

Dave loved to help people. He spent many summers as a lifeguard in the Chicago Park District and knew he wanted to go into the medical field. After graduating from Western Illinois University, where he earned his EMT certificate, he enrolled in the Advocate Christ Medical Center EMS Academy to become a paramedic. 

“After he graduated from the program in 2013, he worked for a local ambulance service. He later worked as a paramedic with Maxim Health at Amazon.”

In November 2017, Dave, who was 28, tragically passed away in a car accident. His family was devastated.

“One of my first thoughts was, ‘He still had so much to do,’” shared Marie. “I knew we’d have to find a way to continue his legacy of kindness and serving others. He was always thoughtful and doing little things to make others happy.” 

Dave was a regular participant in Polar Plunge Chicago, which benefits Special Olympics Illinois. He joined a team that was formed for one of his mom’s co-workers. Dave looked forward to the event every year. He was enthusiastic not only to plunge in the lake, but also to raise funds for a worthy cause. 

“It’s kind of funny; he used to ask us to join him at Polar Plunge Chicago, and we always refused, telling him it was crazy. Now we do it to honor him.” 

 In January 2018, his two brothers gifted their parents a non-profit organization, Dave’s Divers. The family decided to honor Dave by asking some friends to join for a plunge at North Avenue Beach. The first year brought 37 plungers raising money for the Special Olympics. It quickly became clear this was a way to raise money for a wonderful cause and also help everyone move past the sadness and come together to remember Dave with a smile. The team grew every year – so much so that in 2021, Dave’s family decided to move the plunge to their family’s lake home in Koontz Lake, Indiana. It was a place Dave had spent all his childhood summers, so the move seemed like the next logical step. Now hundreds of supporters and around 70 plungers show up each year.  

“Dave’s good friends help us organize the event and keep it true to his memory,” said Marie. “It’s not just about the plunge; it’s about Dave. We embrace the fact that we’re celebrating him. We also keep it fun – we paint toilet plungers gold and give out Golden Plunger awards for things like costumes and creative ways people dive into the lake.” 

The larger event allowed Dave’s Divers to broaden their outreach to several charities that reflect what was important to Dave, like organizations supporting families dealing with cancer and funding youth sports – all from the south side of Chicago where Dave grew up. The Koontz Lake Fire Department also receives support from Dave’s Divers.  

There is one, however, that is especially meaningful to Dave’s parents. Dave’s Divers funds an annual Paramedic/EMS scholarship for students at Advocate Christ. Dave was a graduate of this program. This month, Marie attended the graduation ceremony for students at Advocate Christ. She got to see firsthand the impact of their efforts and Dave’s legacy. 

“We met the EMTs and paramedics who received our scholarships,” shared Marie. “It was pretty emotional. It was great to be able to honor and remember him. And the new EMTs and paramedics know his story and understand who he was and how they can carry on his spirit.” 

Dave’s large family continues to grow, and Dave’s Divers grow every year with them.  His cousins and friends bring their children, and his two nieces, Gracie (5) and Kensie (2), are there to play a special role in the event. Their support will help Dave’s Divers continue their mission to honor Dave and continue to help others with small acts of kindness.   

How you can help

Advocate Christ Medical Center is part of Advocate Health, a non-profit system that relies on the generosity of donors and organizations like Dave’s Divers to fund many of its programs and services. Please consider making a gift today.

About our Foundations

How Dave's Divers Is Helping Others

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 14,2025 in the Tinley Park GiGIFIT Acceptance Challenge.

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, 2025

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!

Dave’s Divers Support Stark County Youth Club

2025

We are helping children in the community participate in after school programs, recreation and Enrichment programs at Oregon-Davis elementary school. We engcourage their goal to keep kids safe and inspire learning.


Papa Hops Sponsor

July, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

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 and annual golf outing 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, 2024,2025

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, 2025

In March, 2021,2022,2023,2024 and 2025 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.



Help Others

September 21, 2019 Dave’s Divers will support Christmas without Cancer organization. We are a t-shirt sponsor and will walk/run their annual 5K in memory of Matt Hooker. Matt Hooker was a dear friend that fought cancer and he too wanted to help others. we support this in our mission to Help Others.