
In 1986, the Puskarich Public Library opened in Cadiz, Ohio, thanks to the Puskarich family, who spearheaded a multi-million-dollar fundraising campaign, donating a sizable portion to the project themselves. That library is a notable example of their philanthropy, but family members have long been committed to community service, including: Michael ’82; Matthew ’88 and wife, Kristine ’88; sister, Lynn; mother, Mary Belle; cousins Mark ’86 and Amy ’88, and their mother, Lois.
Michael, who passed away in 2012, chaired the Harrison Community Hospital Board and was a statewide officer of the Freemasons of Ohio and a known philanthropist.
Matthew and Kris sit on various advisory boards and are active in several community organizations including the Harrison County Community Fund and the Husky Foundation. They are helping to lead the Puzzles for Prosperity campaign to raise $1 million for local causes.
Lynn has been a strong supporter of the Special Olympics program in Licking County and created the first local prom for special needs individuals.
The family’s philanthropy extends to Otterbein. Kris, with her sister, Cynthia Heston-Sievers ’89, established the Karyn Rial ’89 Endowed Scholarship at Otterbein to honor the memory of a dear classmate and sorority sister. Mary Belle established a scholarship at Otterbein in memory of Michael.
Mark, too, found his passion in philanthropic work. Mark and other former Otterbein track athletes established the Miller, Ricevuto, and Lehman Endowed Scholarship to pay tribute to their track and field coaches during their 1980s tenure at Otterbein.
And when a former bandmate was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, he and other band members came together to record a CD, A Christmas to Cure Cancer, donating all sales to cancer research. Since then, Mark founded the organization, A Christmas to Cure Cancer, and sister charity, Blues For A Cure, which have raised $1.5 million dollars through the sale of CDs, as well as fundraiser events. Donations go to a variety of cancer-research organizations across the country. Mark now serves on The James Foundation Board.
Amy and her family, along with Puskarich sibling Lisa Zehnal and family, actively support the fight against cancer annually by fundraising and riding the Pelotonia cycling event benefitting The James Cancer Research Center. They are also annual supporters of A Christmas To Cure Cancer and Blues For A Cure.
Lois privately supports many local, state and national causes, including the Otterbein Fund, Ohio State University’s Women in Philanthropy, 4-H, and the Harrison County Scholarship Fund.