The Moorestown community will gather at Citizens Bank Park for Quaker Night at the Phillies when the team takes on the Washington Nationals on Monday, Aug. 3.
The event supports the Evan Welch Scholarship Fund, named for a Moorestown High senior who died in a 2007 car accident after the driver, Evan’s best friend, had been drinking. Quaker Night was started years ago by teacher Gary Ross, who has since retired, and it is always special for Evan’s family.
“Every year, it’s a nice way for us to get together as a community to remember Evan,” said his older sister Eileen, who’s also a teacher at Moorestown High and took over the scholarship fund after Ross retired. “Moorestown is a great community and the community members love to come out to support different activities and support different causes, so it’s always great when this fundraiser – and all the fundraisers that are held throughout the community – are successful.
“It feels nice when you feel like the community is remembering Evan, whether they knew him or have just now heard of his story.”
One of four siblings, Evan had a big personality. Eileen described him as a goofy kid with a lot of friends, someone to whom people gravitated. He could be quiet, but had a funny side to him, and he loved to cook. He was involved in swimming and lacrosse, and he liked to push the limits, keeping everyone on their toes.
The loss of Evan has meant his family goes through a million emotions at different times, according to Eileen. Over time, they realized the accident that killed him was just that, an accident. Eileen – who shares Evan’s story with high-school students – emphasizes that in order to avoid drunk driving, a ride-share app like Uber or Lyft is the way to go.
“What I love to tell all high-school students is don’t drink,” she explained. “That would be the best decision. And learn to have fun without alcohol. But knowing that that’s a naive mindset … I think the biggest advice I can give kids is to not even take your car keys with you if you plan to drink.”
Even though it’s been nearly 20 years since Evan died, Eileen acknowledges it isn’t easy to heal.
“That phrase – ‘time heals all wounds’ – that’s a lie,” she maintained. “Time just allows you to learn how to live with pain. The pain never goes away, the hole in your heart never heals, but time allows you to learn how to find a new normal.”
A portion of proceeds from Quaker Night ticket sales supports the scholarship fund, which every year awards a graduate of Moorestown High. To purchase tickets, visit www.phillies.com/ewsf. For questions, reach out to evanwelchscholarshipfund@gmail.com.
“He was so nonchalant about things that he would probably be like, ‘Cool,’” said Eileen of what Even’s reaction would be to Quaker Night and the scholarship fund. “He was very one-worded and would give a head nod and that was his personality.
“We definitely had a special, close relationship and we always got along well …” she added. “When you go to a sporting event (like a Phillies game) you don’t necessarily run into people you know, so to be at a Phillies game and the entire section is all Moorestown community members and family members – it is pretty cool.”
Quaker Night at the Phillies – this year on Aug. 3 – honors the late Moorestown senior Evan Welch and supports a scholarship fund in his name.
