SCRANTON, Pa. — For two decades, Tom and Betty Moreken have made it their mission to help those who struggle with substance abuse in honor of their daughter, Erin Jessica Moreken, a Scranton High School graduate who died in 2002 from a drug overdose.
"A rule breaker and a risk taker who liked to live on the edge, and unfortunately, her risk-taking was with drugs and things like that, which got her into trouble and eventually took her life," said Tom Moreken, Erin's father.
After her death, her parents started the Erin Jessica Moreken Drug & Alcohol Treatment Fund.
In 2004, a friend of the Morekens suggested they raise money for it by starting the Tour de Scranton bike ride fundraiser.
Now in its 20th year, the fund announced this would be the Tour de Scranton's last ride.
"I guess, in a way, it's kind of sad. It's kind of sad to know we're not going to be doing this," said Bill Burke, founder of Tour De Scranton.
Tom and Betty say the fund has raised more than three hundred thousand dollars for the Erin Jessica Moreken Drug & Alcohol Treatment Fund.
"We're just grateful for that. That parents and families won't have to suffer what we've gone through. That grief that we've lost a daughter it never goes away," said Tom.
And generations of families have supported the cause almost every year.
"The first time we, the entire family, did it. My youngest, I believe, was around six years old. It's a little emotional, but I think they've run the course and stayed true to their cause," said Art McCarthy, Tour De Scranton rider.
But Tom and Betty say this last ride does not mean the end of their mission.
With 22 years invested, they hope another organization can take over the Tour de Scranton while they continue to focus on other aspects of the fund.
"Everybody wants to see the ride continue, hopefully. Our organization, the Erin Jessica Moreken Drug and Alcohol Treatment Fund, is not going anywhere. We are still going to keep working to help people," said Tom.