Fourteen-year-old Kohl Guffey was a promising motocross racer, but a March 29 accident sidetracked his progress.

The accident caused injuries that left Guffey, of Casey, paralyzed from the waist down and with limited use of fingers on both hands.

Supporters will gather Saturday in Casey for a benefit poker run for Guffey, who remains at Barnes Rehabilitation Center in St. Louis.

Participants will travel to Casey from Montrose, Mattoon, Charleston, Ashmore and Greenup, and back to Casey.

Bev Carver and Theresa Finney organized the benefit.

Carver, Guffey’s aunt, said he has been making progress, but “it’s a slow road.”

The poker run comprises people who ride motorcycles and drive cars to five predetermined spots and pick a card from a deck at each spot.

The winner of the event is the person who holds the best poker hand at the finish. First prize is $50 and a plaque.

Registration is 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at The Turntable Tavern, 25 N.W. First St. in Casey.

“We’re hoping to have 100 bikes or vehicles, because you can drive a car and follow the bikes just the same,” Carver said.

Rock band Velvet Rose will perform at the Turntable Taven, where prizes and raffles will be available.

Organizing the event has been as involved as the poker run itself, Carver said.

“It’s taken a lot of running different places, getting donations because we’ll have raffle items, getting everything,” Carver said.

The event is open to the public, and proceeds will go toward Kohl’s goal of someday riding again.

Thomas Stevens can be reached at 581-7942 or tmstevens@eiu.edu.