Losing a loved one is always hard, but the pain felt is accentuated even more if you have to say goodbye far too early in someone’s life. Earlier this year, one of Fort Collins, Colorado’s devoted hot rod families lost their daughter and sister to the affects of alcoholism. While they’re still mourning, they are looking to give back to the community through a bike and hot rod event they’re calling, “For Karen’s Sake–Poker Run and Show.” Check out the details below and be sure to join the dozens of car and bike enthusiasts already planning on going!

Ed and Gene Koski, as well as their son Curt, have been staples in the Fort Collins hot rod scene for decades. No matter what day of the week you can always find one or more of them tinkering away in the garage on their projects, or helping friends figure out their own rides. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that in the wake of their daughter and sister Karen’s death, the Koski family aims to lend a helping hand to the community, this time through a fund-raising event for local alcoholism treatment programs.

A Little About Karen

Karen and her husband Ron were both very successful residents of Fort Collins. They each contributed over 15 years to their jobs and the premiere community of Taft Canyon where they lived. When the economy tanked, first Ron, and then Karen lost their jobs. Neither of them were able to find steady work for months and they ended up losing their home. To cope, both started drinking, which only grew heavier and heavier with time.

Though Karen was able to pull herself out of her slump and stop drinking for awhile Ron was not and passed away from problems related to his excessive drinking. Once Ron passed away, Karen was unable to deal with the added hardship and took to drinking again.

Over the years, Karen developed cirrhosis of the liver. This is what took her life on February 15th, 2014.

Long-time members of the Fort Collins hot rod community, the Koski family will be honoring Karen the best way possible in the coming weeks by raising money to help save someone from this terrible disease!

Having supported their daughter and sister through her many hardships the Koski family strove to save Karen’s life.

Now, after her passing, the Koskis are hosting a charity event in Karen’s honor to raise money to help save the life of someone else suffering from alcoholism.

The For Karen’s Sake-Poker Run and Show kicks off at 9:00 a.m. on June 22nd at Covenant Tattoo, owned by feature truck owner Dan Dolan, with a free pancake breakfast.

Those taking part in the poker run will take off at 10:30 a.m. with riders and rodders alike ending their run at Newstalgia Custom Paint & Design around 12:00 p.m.. There, the Koski family, Newstalgia, and Sober Souls Motorcycle Club will host a car and bike show, BBQ, and raffle with all proceeds going to Peer 1 and The Haven Therapeutic Community. Their goal is to raise enough money to pay for at least one person’s full treatment.