Poker run honors couple, raises money for motorcycle awareness

Couple killed in crash were soul mates, friends say
Photos: Remembering crash victims
Truck strikes, kills two motorcyclists
Share condolences for Amy Dorn At legacy.com
Share condolences for Aaron Adams At legacy.com

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By Jill Kelley, Staff Writer Updated 8:58 PM Sunday, August 30, 2009

LEBANON — There were smiles, tears and the deafening rumble of motorcycles as friends, family and supporters gathered Sunday morning, Aug. 30, to raise money and honor a young couple lost too soon.

The Amy Dorn Memorial Poker Run began at the Warren County Fairgrounds in Lebanon, stopped at the three Putters Tavern and Grill locations, and concluded at the Putters 2-Putt Tavern and Grill on Ohio 48 in Maineville.

The event paid tribute to Dorn, a 22-year-old from Lebanon, and her 26-year-old boyfriend Aaron Adams of Waynesville, who were killed in a motorcycle crash June 27 in Turtlecreek Twp.

The poker run was organized by Dorn’s lifelong friend Gwen Wilkens, who works at Putters in Maineville.

Wilkens said the event, which was planned in just three weeks, turned out to be bigger than expected.

“When we started out (this morning) we had about 45 motorcycles and about 15 trucks or vehicles,” Wilkens said. “And we picked up a few more along the way. We ended up with about 60 motorcycles and about 10 more trucks. We had more than 100 people (at Putters).”

Wilkens said the money raised will go to for motorcycle awareness and other organizations that Dorn and Adams supported.

“The money will go to causes like Look Twice — Save a Life (which promotes motorcycle safety and awareness) and 4-H, which Amy was involved in,” said Wilkens of Mason.

Wendy Davis, Dorn’s mother, rode on the back of Ralph Campbell’s motorcycle during the poker run.

Davis said that Campbell had worked with Dorn at the Southwest Landmark feedstore in Lebanon.

“He was like a dad to Amy,” said Davis, who said she brought along some of Dorn’s ashes for the memorial ride.

Hannah Dorn, 19, said this event was just one of many planned to honor her sister’s memory.

“We’re working on a memorial cookbook for her,” she said, “and we already had a dance in July.”

Adams’ family, which has been working closely with Dorn’s family and friends on many of these fundraisers, also has an event in the works.

“We are planning a hog roast Oct. 17 (in Wilmington),” said Penny Adams, Aaron’s mother. “We hope to donate some of the money to the FOP, Post 103, of Warren County. And we are hoping to maybe get some playground equipment in Aaron’s name.”

For more information about the couple and upcoming memorial events, visit the Aaron Adams and Amy Dorn Memorial page on Facebook.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-

7325

jikelley

@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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