Kait's Angels Poker Run Revs Up Saturday

PECONIC, NY — Community members and friends will turn out Saturday for the third annual Kait's Angels Poker Run and Pig Roast, to be held at Breeze Hill Farm in Peconic.

The first car/motorcycle will leave from Breeze Hill Farm, located at 31215 County Rd. 48, at 10:30 a.m.; sign in begins at 9:30 a.m. All participants have to be back at Breeze Hill Farm by 2 p.m.

The event is organized by Joe Doorhy to honor the Doorhys' beautiful daughter Kaitlyn Doorhy, and includes a raffle, barbecue, beverages and music.

A rain date has been set for Sunday.

August will mark four years since Kaitlyn, 20, died while away at college.

At a past Poker Run, William Araneo, president of Kait's Angels, the not-for-profit organization created to honor Kaitlyn's beautiful memory through acts of kindness, spoke from the heart about her unspeakable loss.

Out of the darkness of mourning, he said, bright acts of generosity have been born, as the community continues to stand strong at fundraisers for Kait's Angels, keeping her memory alive by carrying on her legacy of love and caring for others.

"We have come from a place of incredible darkness. But we have seen the light," Araneo said.

He then thanked Kaitlyn, "for bringing us together."

Darla Doorhy, Kait's mom, thanked Chris and Mary Pia, owners of Breeze Hill Farm in Peconic, where the event will be held; past Poker Run stops have included Macari Vineyard in Mattituck, Orient by the Sea, Allure in Southold, and Claudio's in Greenport. The last stop is at Breeze Hill Farm in Peconic, where the celebration, including the barbecue, is always held.

"It's been a very difficult four years, without our daughter. We continue to keep her memory alive," Darla said.

More than 100 motorcycles and classic cars have headed out for past Kait's Angels poker runs, organized events where participants using motorcycles, classic cars or other means of transportation visit five to seven local checkpoints on the North Fork, drawing a playing card in a sealed envelope at each one.

The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run.

Since she died tragically in 2014 at 20 years old, the North Fork community has pledged to keep Kait's sparkling and caring spirit alive.

Members perform "Angel Acts," working to pay Kait's love of others forward by helping those in need or just brightening the lives of strangers with random acts of kindness.

A mantra of the organization is "Discover Your Value," urging individuals to follow Kait's shining example and live a life dedicated to good works.

Since the organization was formed, Kait's Angels has been spreading a message of love and positivity throughout the North Fork and beyond. Buddy Benches have been dedicated to East End schools to help fight back against bullying and help give children a safe place to go when they need a friend.

A Designer Handbag Wingo event was held at Macari Vineyard recently in honor of Kait's 24th birthday.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.