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When you lose someone to a tragic disease like alcoholism, most people tend to shut down. In the case of the Koski family of Fort Collins, Colorado, losing their daughter and sister not only lit a fire under them, but also inspired them to put on a benefit event to help save another family from going through the tragic loss of their son or daughter to alcohol-related issues. Because of that, the For Karen’s Sake Poker Run and Car/Bike Show was created. It went off with a bang this last weekend with the help of dozens of contributors, volunteers, and the generosity of the hot rod and motorcycle communities.
Previous Rod Authority feature car, Ed Koski’s ’32 Deuce Coupe, was front and center during the show portion of the weekend event!
As we told you early in June, Karen was a daughter, sister, mother and soon-to-be grandmother who had seen her fair share of highs and lows in life when she passed away tragically due to complications of alcoholism on February 15th, 2014. Though a tragic loss, Karen’s passing inspired her family to try and help another individual get the treatment for alcoholism that they needed, ultimately preventing another family and set of loved ones from losing an individual due to the same disease.
Being avid hot rod and motorcycle fans, the Koski family decided to put on a poker run and show in Karen’s name with the help of Newstalgia Custom Paint & Design and the Northern Colorado Chapter of the Sober Souls Motorcycle Club to raise money for a local alcohol treatment facility.
From Covenant, the bikers rode to Beaver’s Den Leather, Canyon Grill and T Bar Inn, catching the last card in their poker hand at Newstalgia where just about every kind of ride was waiting for them in show style.
Adam Lucier, owner of Newstalgia, opened up his shop for the event, playing host to both car and motorcycle enthusiasts for the Koski’s cause.
Though the show part of the event wasn’t set to kick off until after 11:00 a.m., rodders showed up in force starting just after 10:00 with lawn chairs and generous hearts in tow.
Over 25 vehicles, from Karen’s father Ed Koski’s ’32 Deuce Coupe and Lucier’s T-Bucket and ’53 Ford, to incredible pro-street Chevys, four-cylinder race cars, classic pickup trucks and even a tricked out “adventure bus” showed up for the occasion.
As you can imagine, the pseudo double-decker bus was a hit with the kids while the pro-street and hot rod machines were favorites of the adult show-goers.
The event also featured food, which consisted of fresh pulled pork sandwiches, chips, and a variety of drinks to choose from, as well as soft-serve ice cream, with live music, an extensive raffle and even a slow bike race adding even more excitement to the event.
What started out as a traditional slow bike race quickly turned into a different take on the motorcycle favorite. 
One particularly unique donation came from Danny Bailey, who rendered this first-gen Camaro in limited-run prints. Classic Buick owner Brock Schefus was lucky enough to win this coveted print–number 31 of just 1,000 made.
When all was said and done, the Koski’s were able to raise $2,257 to donate to the Peer I and The Haven Therapeutic Community programs run in correspondence with the University of Colorado Denver Medical System.
Where The Money’s Going
The Haven was founded in 1992 as the first residential substance abuse program for women in the state that allowed infants into the residential facility while their mothers underwent substance abuse treatment. Not only has this kept countless children out of the foster care system, it has also helped maintain a higher morale within the program.
Candidates for the program typically undergo residential treatment for nine to 12 months, followed by around a year of outpatient treatment. According to their website, over 90 percent of the women who go through the program at The Haven stay alcohol, drug, and crime-free after completing their two years of residential and outpatient treatment.
Peer I is a program that also helps in the treatment of substance abuse by offering outpatient, halfway-house, and day treatment services for men.
With the first For Karen’s Sake Poker Run and Show under their belts, both the Koski family and volunteers are looking forward to the potential of this turning into an annual event to help families of alcoholics year after year. Many donors have already come forward with their support for next year’s event according to Karen’s brother Curt Koski, and we can’t wait to announce when that event will be in the future!
For more photos from the For Karen’s Sake Poker Run and Show, be sure to check out the Rod Authority Photo Gallery below!
