Hope After Heartache

The EM5 Fly High Foundation spreads kindness and joy in memory of Evan Melau

By Valerie Hardy

When Evan Melau was fatally struck by a vehicle while riding his bike, his family, friends, family friends, friends’ families, classmates, teammates, and many others were grief-stricken. The loss of such a vibrant 15-year-old devastated the community, a situation made more unbearable because it was the summer of 2020. Social distancing protocols kept people apart while they yearned to come together to celebrate Evan’s life and simply hug one another.

However, in August of that year, a baseball tournament was held in Evan’s honor, providing an opportunity for Evan’s biggest fans to unite. Evan had been an avid and tenacious athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball, so this was a fitting memorial event.

The baseball tournament was played in Westmont, where Evan had grown up before his family moved to Downers Grove. The tournament featured teams from the baseball clubs Evan and his best friends had played for.

“Kids weren’t getting together very often during the pandemic, and the tournament brought people together,” Nina Kuhlman, the mother of one of Evan’s friends and teammates, said. “Considering the sad circumstances, it was a really great experience for the kids.”

The tournament marked the beginning of the EM5 Fly High Foundation (the “5” represents Evan’s baseball jersey number). The Foundation’s mission is to help others and spread joy – or, as Evan often said, to “spread it around.”

Kuhlman was a founding member of the EM5 Fly High Foundation and continues to serve on its board and manage its communications. Other board members include Evan’s parents, Chuck and Jamie Melau, along with Melissa Dawson, Laura Duffy, Kelly Justice, Mary Spear, and Julie Waterman. “We all met through our mutual love of our student-athletes and sports,” Kuhlman said.

While a team of adults heads up the Foundation, it is “for the kids,” Kuhlman said. She explained that Jamie, Evan’s mother, even in her own grief, made it her purpose to “support that whole class of kids.”

She is referring to the Class of 2023, which would have been Evan’s graduating class. Evan attended Downers Grove South High School, and the Foundation supports students in and beyond Evan’s class by donating money to purchase athletic equipment and to help offset fees for students with financial barriers to participating in school sports. Also, starting in 2023, the Foundation began offering college scholarships for student-athletes who participate in at least two sports.

“Our goal is to continue giving scholarships for at least the next four years,” Kuhlman said. “Evan has a freshman sister at DGS, so we’re going to keep it going at least as long as she is there.”

Evan loved holidays, especially Christmas, so the Foundation often gives back to the community around holidays. Soon after the Foundation formed, volunteers conducted a gift card drive and accepted monetary donations to support local families in need. “This was the birth of what we call ‘Evan’s Elves,’” Kuhlman said.

Foundation volunteers have also run community Easter egg hunts and visits with the Easter Bunny – all in the name of spreading joy in Evan’s honor.

The majority of the Foundation’s volunteers have been Evan’s classmates and teammates. “There are so many outstanding young people that have volunteered for Evan’s Elves, and other kids want to emulate that,” Kuhlman explained. “Even if they didn’t know Evan…they buy EM5 merch[andise].”

Funds have been raised in various ways, including from two DGS basketball games. Proceeds from those games were donated to the Foundation.

The Foundation was also a “charity of the day” at one of the Moose Lodge’s vintage car shows in downtown Downers Grove, Kuhlman explained.

Next up is the Foundation’s second “Concert for Charity” fundraiser. It will be held Nov. 23 from 9 p.m. to midnight at Ballydoyle. Broken Vegas – the band Evan’s father, Chuck Melau, is in – will be playing. There is a $7 cover charge, most of which will be donated to the Foundation.

The event is open to the public and will feature raffle baskets and the opportunity to request a song for a small donation.

To date, the Foundation has raised over $41,000. “We’ve always had so much support from the community for Evan’s Elves and the Foundation,” Kuhlman said. “It’s really helpful for Evan’s family and friends.”