On July 22, 2024, our beloved friend Kenny Carson very unexpectedly and suddenly passed away from a heart attack. He was only 43.

Ken was a fun-loving, sweet, competitive guy and brought joy to those who were lucky enough to know him. He was a phenomenal pool player and could often be found competing in pool tournaments across the state and country, or leading his local pool team in competitions on the weekends.

Ken was also a hard-working single father to two beautiful twin daughters, Araceli and Annalise, who are 11 years old. The girls already lost their mother as babies, and now are reeling from the loss of their father as well.

Unfortunately, since Ken died so suddenly, his family was left in complete shock and now needs some help to prepare to care for his daughters long-term. Things like braces and clothing and extra-curricular activities and one day, college... These are all things the girls will need, that normally would have been provided for by their Dad.

As friends of the family, and of Kenny... we want to help, and we need YOUR help. Please consider helping us to raise money for Annalise and Araceli one of four ways:

1) Please donate whatever you can below, if you are able. All funds raised will go directly into an account for Ken's daughters, which will be managed for them by their grandparents, who the girls will be living with from now on.

2) If you enjoy playing or watching pool, please consider coming to the pool tournament benefit we are hosting in Ken's honor. The tournament will take place on Saturday, August 17th at 5:30 pm at Q Pub and Grill in Downers Grove, IL. It's a Scotch Doubles tournament, and the entry fee is $50, half of which will be generously donated to the fund for Ken's girls by the owners of Q, for which we are so grateful. We will be holding an auction at the tournament for some items and services generously donated by local businesses and friends, so even if you aren't a pool player yourself, you're welcome to attend and enjoy some food and drinks from Q, and bid on some auction items. Pool players of all skill levels are welcome, and no pre-registration is necessary. Doors open at 4- just show up!

3) If you have gift cards, tickets or items of value you wouldn't mind donating... or if you are a local business that can donate goods or services, we would be so grateful for any and all donations to auction off at the tournament on August 17th.

4) Please share this GoFundMe and information about the pool tournament with as many people as possible. Whether or not you knew Ken, I think we can all tap into our hearts for some compassion for his twin daughters who now have to grow up without either parent. They will need lots of things as they get older, and any burden we can take off their grandparents would be amazing.

Thank you for opening your hearts and your wallets for Araceli and Annalise... and in honor of Ken.