ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst Knights of Columbus Council 1911 raised $10,000 for a local family of six during its annual Poker Bike Run on July 18, according to the organization.
The fundraiser drew more than 100 riders and was directed to a family now facing a difficult medical and financial stretch. The father of four is battling severe dementia, while his wife has left work to care for him full time and help support their children, who range in age from 9 months to high school.
Poker Bike Run draws more than 100 riders for annual fundraiser
The bike run has become one of the council’s signature community events, and this year’s gathering brought together riders and supporters for a cause beyond the day’s activities. Organizers said the event is about fellowship, but also about making a direct difference when a local family needs help.
The council said the money from this year’s run was intended to ease immediate pressures on the household. By focusing the fundraiser on one family, the group said it could channel community generosity into practical support during a time of major disruption.
Family says the donation will bring needed relief
The family expressed gratitude for the assistance, saying the $10,000 will provide meaningful financial relief during an especially hard period. Their statement reflected both the emotional weight of the illness and the strain of adjusting to a single income while raising young children.
The council did not detail how the funds will be spent, but the donation is expected to help with day-to-day expenses as the family adapts to new caregiving responsibilities. For households dealing with serious illness, that kind of support can be especially important when work changes suddenly.
Council leaders say the event is about more than a day on the road
Rocco Revello, chair of the Poker Bike Run, said the event stands for more than a social ride. He said that once organizers learned what the family was facing, they wanted this year’s fundraiser to make a meaningful difference.
His comments pointed to the way local volunteer groups can respond quickly when personal hardship becomes visible within the community. The Knights of Columbus said the event gave riders a chance to have fun while also supporting neighbors in a tangible way.
More than $60,000 donated locally over the past year
The $10,000 gift is part of a larger pattern of charitable work by the Elmhurst Knights of Columbus. The organization said that over the past year, with help from the Elmhurst community, it has donated more than $60,000 to local charities and causes.
During the same period, members also provided more than 4,500 hours of service to organizations and people throughout the community. Those numbers show the scale of the group’s volunteer effort and the role it plays in supporting local needs beyond a single fundraiser.
Grand knight credits community support for the council’s outreach
Alan Quarrie, grand knight of the local council, said the group is grateful for continued support from Elmhurst residents. He said that support allows members to give back in meaningful ways and helps the organization accomplish what it sets out to do together each year.
His remarks framed the fundraiser as part of a broader community partnership rather than a one-time event. For the council, the response to the Poker Bike Run showed how a local tradition can turn into direct help for a family coping with severe illness and a sudden change in circumstances.