Miles (km) for the Pyles
Donation protected
The Story
On Saturday, February 27th (Sunday, February 28th in Australia), my best friend and college roommate, Jordan Pyle, received the tragic news that her father, Damian Pyle, passed away suddenly after suffering a heart attack while riding his bike in their hometown of Traralgon, Australia. Jordan learned of her father’s passing while she was at my home in Homer Glen, IL, almost 10,000 miles away from her grieving mother, Sharon, and two younger brothers, Caleb and Tanner.
Jordan is currently playing women’s basketball and attending school on a student visa at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. As a third-year student athlete, she has helped to lead the team to the playoffs this season although her physical presence will now be absent at the upcoming national tournament. Despite the life shattering circumstances surrounding this tragedy, Jordan has made it very clear that she plans to return to America next fall to finish out her senior year and final season, as she knows this is what her father would want.
Over the past three years, Jordan has grown extremely close to my family. She has spent numerous holidays with us given that her family is so many miles away and cannot afford to travel to America frequently for these precious moments. She also regularly spends weekends with our family which has naturally allowed our Hernandez sibling pack of four to feel like a pack of five.
Damian, known as Damo by loved ones, was the most loving father. He pushed Jordan to always follow her dreams, supporting her journey in America and regularly reminding her how proud he was over weekly Facebook Messenger video calls. He cared deeply about his wife and three children, as well as all those he loved, coached, and interacted with daily.
Damian and Jordan’s bond was one of the most amazing father and daughter relationships that I have seen in my lifetime. Not only did he coach her in the game of basketball growing up, but he coached her in the game of life. He is the reason that she had the strength to make the decision to play the game she loves so far away from him and the rest of her family back home. Even though she had not seen him since August 2020, she knew that she could call him at any moment for guidance, love, and support.
As a man himself, Damo was regarded with the utmost respect and loved by all those he came in contact with throughout his life. He was always looking for ways to help others and get involved to support the people around him in any way that he could. When I traveled to Australia back in June 2019, Damian welcomed me into his home with open arms and aided me in traveling up the entire east coast of the continent.
Additionally, Damian biked regularly with his co-workers on the weekends and enjoyed getting out, being active, and exploring whenever and wherever he got the opportunity. At the age of 46, he has left behind an amazing legacy that has sent a rippling impact throughout Traralgon, the rest of Australia, and the community that Jordan has become part of over here in America.
How You Can Help
In effort to support the Pyle family, I have pledged to run my first marathon on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 on Old Plank Trail near my hometown. In running the marathon, I would like to raise as much money as possible to help pay for the cost of Jordan’s tuition for her final school year at the University of St. Francis. Additionally, my hope is that this fundraiser will cover the cost of plane tickets for her mother and younger brothers to fly to America to see her at both Christmas and on her graduation day in May of 2022. (Tuition costs plus six round trip tickets from Australia to America will total $30,000 USD).
Jordan has asked that I fly out to her and her family when the school year has finished, so my plan is to bring the donations with me when I go to Australia at the end of May 2021.
I would be forever grateful to anyone who can help the Pyle family by donating any amount they can, regardless of how big or small. They are truly wonderful people and I want nothing more than to support them during this difficult time despite how many miles away they may be. If you cannot support this cause from a financial standpoint, please help me by spreading the word to those you know. Please share this post to your Facebook Timeline and/or utilize any method of communication you have with others to share this message.
The Pyle family and I thank you for your support.
On Saturday, February 27th (Sunday, February 28th in Australia), my best friend and college roommate, Jordan Pyle, received the tragic news that her father, Damian Pyle, passed away suddenly after suffering a heart attack while riding his bike in their hometown of Traralgon, Australia. Jordan learned of her father’s passing while she was at my home in Homer Glen, IL, almost 10,000 miles away from her grieving mother, Sharon, and two younger brothers, Caleb and Tanner.
Jordan is currently playing women’s basketball and attending school on a student visa at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL. As a third-year student athlete, she has helped to lead the team to the playoffs this season although her physical presence will now be absent at the upcoming national tournament. Despite the life shattering circumstances surrounding this tragedy, Jordan has made it very clear that she plans to return to America next fall to finish out her senior year and final season, as she knows this is what her father would want.
Over the past three years, Jordan has grown extremely close to my family. She has spent numerous holidays with us given that her family is so many miles away and cannot afford to travel to America frequently for these precious moments. She also regularly spends weekends with our family which has naturally allowed our Hernandez sibling pack of four to feel like a pack of five.
Damian, known as Damo by loved ones, was the most loving father. He pushed Jordan to always follow her dreams, supporting her journey in America and regularly reminding her how proud he was over weekly Facebook Messenger video calls. He cared deeply about his wife and three children, as well as all those he loved, coached, and interacted with daily.
Damian and Jordan’s bond was one of the most amazing father and daughter relationships that I have seen in my lifetime. Not only did he coach her in the game of basketball growing up, but he coached her in the game of life. He is the reason that she had the strength to make the decision to play the game she loves so far away from him and the rest of her family back home. Even though she had not seen him since August 2020, she knew that she could call him at any moment for guidance, love, and support.
As a man himself, Damo was regarded with the utmost respect and loved by all those he came in contact with throughout his life. He was always looking for ways to help others and get involved to support the people around him in any way that he could. When I traveled to Australia back in June 2019, Damian welcomed me into his home with open arms and aided me in traveling up the entire east coast of the continent.
Additionally, Damian biked regularly with his co-workers on the weekends and enjoyed getting out, being active, and exploring whenever and wherever he got the opportunity. At the age of 46, he has left behind an amazing legacy that has sent a rippling impact throughout Traralgon, the rest of Australia, and the community that Jordan has become part of over here in America.
How You Can Help
In effort to support the Pyle family, I have pledged to run my first marathon on Saturday, May 15th, 2021 on Old Plank Trail near my hometown. In running the marathon, I would like to raise as much money as possible to help pay for the cost of Jordan’s tuition for her final school year at the University of St. Francis. Additionally, my hope is that this fundraiser will cover the cost of plane tickets for her mother and younger brothers to fly to America to see her at both Christmas and on her graduation day in May of 2022. (Tuition costs plus six round trip tickets from Australia to America will total $30,000 USD).
Jordan has asked that I fly out to her and her family when the school year has finished, so my plan is to bring the donations with me when I go to Australia at the end of May 2021.
I would be forever grateful to anyone who can help the Pyle family by donating any amount they can, regardless of how big or small. They are truly wonderful people and I want nothing more than to support them during this difficult time despite how many miles away they may be. If you cannot support this cause from a financial standpoint, please help me by spreading the word to those you know. Please share this post to your Facebook Timeline and/or utilize any method of communication you have with others to share this message.
The Pyle family and I thank you for your support.
Organizer
Allee Hernandez
Organizer
Homer Glen, IL
