A fundraising campaign has been launched to support the family of the Cheyenne teenager who was struck and killed by a vehicle late last week.
Makaili “Mak” James Evans, 13, died Friday after he was hit by a car as he tried to cross the street to get to his junior high school. He was hit by a Ford Escape around 7 a.m. and was pronounced dead after being taken to the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.
The fundraiser was launched Tuesday and as of Wednesday morning, nearly $19,500 had been raised in support of the family. The goal was only $1, due to the boy’s family wanting to ensure donors know they are appreciative of any donation.
“As a 13-year-old boy your future thoughts are anything but what faced young Makaili, that brisk Wyoming morning. This is when we step up and live the ‘Cowboy Strong’ motto,” the fundraiser said. “When we lend a helping hand to the family of such a beautiful soul who needs us now more than ever.”
According to the fundraiser description, Mak loved watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, camping, fishing and hiking. He also enjoyed playing pranks on his friends and family.
The fundraiser said that anyone who wants to honor Mak can use a red porch light in the coming days to “spread awareness of what a beacon of hope he was in the all the lives of those he touched.”
Mak is survived by his parents, Clifton and Janelle Jones and Michael Evans and his siblings Kaiser P. Cunningham III, Angelina Milatzo, Josiah DeHerrera, Jazlyn Milatzo, Layla Robinson and Annelise Evans, according to his obituary.
Mak is not the only child in the last week to be struck by a vehicle in Cheyenne. On Monday, two teenagers were hit by a car, although both received minor injuries.
