It’s been nearly three years since Jarred Coleman was killed after getting hit by a car on a Friday afternoon on Birney Avenue in Moosic. His mother, AnneMarie, says she will “always carry the pain” of losing her son — who was 23 at the time of the tragedy — until the day they meet again.
Before you have the time to feel sorry for her, the grieving mother is likely to tell you her family turned Jarred’s death into a “good thing” by giving back; because he was “a giver since before he knew what the word meant.” The family and friends of Jarred will host a fundraiser that starts at 11 a.m. on June 13 at Nay Aug Park in Scranton. All proceeds will benefit the Jarred Coleman Music/Art Scholarship Fund in association with Marywood University.
Coleman said her son was a self-taught musician who enjoyed playing guitar, bongos, and the harmonica. “He had just received a drum set from his younger brother the night before his passing,” she said. “[Drums] was his next instrument he wanted to master.”
He was never afforded that opportunity. His life was taken prematurely. Jarred’s mother said his legacy is being kept alive through the scholarship in his name which allows those who shared his passion to pursue their dreams.
The event is free to attend, Coleman said. Money will be raised through basket raffles, donations and sales of T-shirts made by Jarred’s surviving siblings: Jayson, AnneMarie II, ArieAnne and Paul. The event will have food vendors, face painting and appearances from local bands DRIVE, Years of Madness, E57 and more.
“I know Jarred is smiling down at every event we have. Even though he cannot physically be here to give on his own, he can spiritually through this scholarship,” his mother said. “Jarred firmly believed that music is the universal language of love. Through his music, he shared his love.”
