Wearing T-shirts adorned with her name and angel wings, friends, family and supporters turned out with smiles and laughter on Sunday for a fun event organized to keep Kaitlyn Doorhy’s memory alive.
Kait, a Mattituck High School graduate and former Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Queen, died last August in a tragic accident while away at college.
Today, Kait’s Angels, the not-for-profit organization formed to continue her lifelong focus on philanthropy, hosted the First Annual Kait’s Angels Poker Run.
Riding motorcycles and driving classic cars, a crowd didn’t let Sunday’s initially soggy skies dampen their spirits. The event went on as scheduled, with stops along the North Fork and a celebration at Mattituck High School.
At each of the checkpoints, participants were given a playing card. At the end, whoever got the best hand won: Joey Macari came in first, Lori Kazic came in second, and Theresa Hadleston had the dubious honor of worst hand.
The event also featured a mystery auction, as well as a 50/50, food, and music.
William Araneo, president of Kait’s Angels, said all who love Kait are guided by her spirit, which is ever present. He thanked all who attended, as well as those who hosted destinations on the Poker Run, for “keeping the flame alive.”
Kait’s Angels, he said, aims to help those in need. Areneo said a small community can impact the lives of others is small but life-changing ways.
Next, a Kait’s Angels Yard Sale, with proceeds to benefit Benjamin Pileski, another Mattituck High School graduate, 20, who was critically injured after being hit by a taxi in Montauk on July 5, will take place at the Doorhy home, located at 1125 Ole Jule Lane in Mattituck, on August 15, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. All are welcome.
On Saturday, August 22, which marks one year since Kait lost her life in a tragic accident while away at college, Darla Doorhy, Kaitlyn’s mother, has organized a special memorial mass for her beloved daughter.
“It will be a sad day for our family,” she said.
The mass will take place at 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church on Main Road in Mattituck. At the mass, a guest speaker will talk about the life-saving impacts of organ donation; she is the recipient of a liver.
After Kait died last year, her family donated her organs so that she could continue her lifelong dedication to giving back.
The community has come together to from Kait’s Angels, sharing good works and random Angel Acts of kindness in her memory and to keep her beautiful spirit alive.
A Buddy Bench was dedicated in her honor at Cutchogue East and most recently, a Kait’s Angels designer Wingo event raised funds for the not-for-profit group — and to celebrate Kait’s 21st birthday in heaven.
