Family of former Springdale High football player shot to death looks to start foundation in his memory

When Donna Hyatt buried her grandson, a victim of gun violence, in January, expenses weren’t something she really had to worry about.

She and other family members realized that not all families are as fortunate in that regard. So they decided to do something to help.

The family of Jorden “Flashlight” Lee Puskar is launching the “Flashlight Foundation” to help raise awareness about gun violence and help raise funds for families who have fallen victim to gun violence.

“At the very beginning, I said we are not going to lose him to gun violence,” Hyatt said. “We are not going to let this go in vain.”

Puskar, 21, of Coraopolis was shot and killed in January. He was a 2019 graduate of Springdale High School, where he played tight end for the Dynamos football team. His grandmother, Hyatt, resides in California, and his mother, Nicole Davies, lives in Coraopolis.

Gun violence awareness will be the foundation’s most significant focus, Hyatt said.

“It is so out of control. We needed a platform to talk about that and help victims’ families,” she said.

Davies said the family began planning a foundation after her son’s funeral. Receiving donations from people motivated the family to want to give back, she said.

“I want (families) to worry about grieving and remembering the person they lost,” she said.

A fundraising event for the foundation will be held June 5 at Glen’s Frozen Custard in Springdale, one of the places Puskar’s loved to spend his time, his mother said.

The event coincides with National Gun Violence Awareness Day and Wear Orange Weekend — June 3-5. A voucher for a free small cone will be given to anyone who donates to the foundation, Davies said.

There will also be a balloon release for Puskar and oranges handed out with “stop gun violence” stickers, Davies said.

Hyatt said the foundation is looking to raise $10,000 to get started. She hopes the foundation can give $500 checks to families affected by gun violence to help cover funeral and burial expenses. So far, the family has received $3,500.

“We want other families going through what we went through to have a little guidance because we sure didn’t,” she said.

The foundation plans to hold more events, including a run and golf outing. For next Mother’s Day, the family plans to hand out flowers to mothers.

The official launch of the Flashlight Foundation will be on Puskar’s birthday, July 22. A website will be launched for those interested in making a donation directly to the foundation.

“We feel very positive about it knowing we will be able to lend a hand to others,” Davies said. “Jordan always lended a hand out to others.”