Emily's Hope Poker Run hopes to raise funds, awareness for substance recovery

Trent Abrego, Sioux Falls Argus Leader
·3 min read

An organization dedicated to removing the stigma of substance use disorder through awareness, education and prevention is putting on one of its biggest fundraisers of the year this weekend: the fifth-annual Emily’s Poker Run.

The 100-mile ride Saturday around the Sioux Falls area is open to motorcycle riders and all street-legal vehicle enthusiasts, making stops in Humboldt, Freeman, Davis and Lennox. The ride will commence from J&L Harley-Davidson in Sioux Falls and reconvene at the Blue Rock Bar and Grill by 5 p.m., to draw their poker hands. Registration for the event costs $25 and begins at 10 a.m., however participants can pre-register online and save $5 and get a free T-shirt.

This year’s stops:

  • J&L Harley-Davidson, Sioux Falls starting location; registration from 10:30 a.m. to noon

  • Big J’s Roadhouse, Humboldt

  • Meridian Corner, Freeman

  • Davis Bar, Davis

  • Lennox American Legion, Lennox

  • Blue Rock Bar & Grill, Sioux Falls, ending location, participants must return by 5:30 p.m.

  • Bonus stop: Autoland, Sioux Falls

All of the funds raised from the event, including donations and registration fees, will go toward Emily’s Hope, a nonprofit organization started by Angela Kennecke, a former investigative journalist with Keloland who was directly affected by the growing opioid crisis when her 21-year-old daughter, Emily, died of a fentanyl overdose. The nonprofit also focuses on removing financial barriers for treatment and recovery.

“I just didn’t ever want any other parent to go through something like this, or a loved one to go through something like this," Kennecke said. "It’s so devastating and it’s really unnecessary. I mean, most of our kids, they’re not intending to die. They don't even know fentanyl is in what they take... We’re just trying to raise awareness and to end the stigma.”

Last year, the poker run event raised nearly $30,000 that went directly to assist people to get into treatment. During the five years of the event’s existence, Kennecke said it has gained some traction, garnering anywhere from 300 to 400 bikers, depending on the weather.

"We've had really good turnouts, (a) really positive response," Kennecke said. "The motorcycle community has been really supportive to our cause and there's also a lot of riders who are in recover that take part which is cool to see."

Participants will also be able to partake in a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction, which is also online. The silent auction will include offerings such as Black Hills Cabin Rentals, golf packages, restaurant experiences, a side-by-side and more.

Since Emily's Hope has formed, it’s given Avera more than $350,000 toward treatment scholarships from the money it has raised, Kennecke said. The organization has also helped more than 350 people enter recovery.

"This community has been incredible and I think really wants to look out for our kids and we have some national recognition as well as regional," she said. "But it's just really been really a great place for me to channel my grief and it's something positive instead of into something destructive or negative."

The organization also has developed K-5 prevention education curriculum, with 50 schools in five states participating. And Kennecke spreads awareness for the non-profit through public speaking, TV appearances, podcasts and blogs.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Emily's Hope to host 5th annual 100-mile poker run around Sioux Falls this weekend