SCRANTON, Pa. — For nearly 2 decades, Tom and Betty Moreken have kept their daughters memory alive.
Erin Jessica Moreken a Scranton High School graduate, died from a drug overdose in 2002 at the age of 28
"We want all people out there to know that there is not supposed to be a terrible stigma associated with substance use disorders," said Betty.
"It's just a terrible thing and it is just as bad for families who have survived that. Anybody we can help we just do it, it's become our calling," said Tom.
It's a calling that has helped other people living with substance use disorders. In 2004, the Tour De Scranton bike ride was created in Erin's honor
"The shirts we had the first year didn't have tour De Scranton 1 on them because we never thought there would be a 2. We had 1 person registered and we ended up having 100 and we were thrilled. In our good years we had as many as 500," explained Betty.
But this year will be the final ride, celebrating 20 years.
Proceeds from the bike ride go to the Erin Jessica Moreken Drug and Alcohol Fund which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help those with needs in recovery as well as scholarships.
"We've sponsored people in rehabs, sponsored people who needed dental work or they were In recovery, for many of them it changed their lives," said Tom.
Even though the Tour De Scranton is coming to an end, Erin's parent's say the fund started in her honor will continue to help change even more lives.
"Your head is spinning you don't know where to, somebody can tell you where you can go to help bring stability back to your life," said Tom.
"I think she would be proud of us. I think she'd like to know that we made something out of the tragedy we had," said Betty.
The non-competitive bike ride will be held Sunday September 15th starting at Scranton High School. There are several routes riders can venture.
For details on how to register to look at ride routes, you can find details here.