The Karen Coaldrake Financial Assistance Fund (KCFAF) was started to honor the
memory of a woman who believed that every child deserved equal opportunities in
life and to experience the joy of playing soccer. Karen’s amazing life was cut
short when she suffered a brain aneurism and passed away on March 23, 2008, at
the age of 48.
Karen’s journey with the community and people of Johnston
began in 1996, when she and her husband Peter moved here with their boys, Justin
and Tristan. Karen worked as an agricultural business consultant while raising
her young children. When they began school in Johnston she became actively
involved, volunteering countless hours to the PTO and other community education
organizations. Her commitment and enthusiasm led to her election to the Johnston
school board in 2006. Karen was instrumental in the addition of all day
kindergarten to the Johnston school district, but her real goal was to bring
happiness and a positive experience to every student.
Karen also
developed a passion for soccer through watching her boys play. This passion
extended not only to her own children, but to the children of friends, and her
son’s friends and teammates. She volunteered countless hours to soccer in the
community, challenged thoughts and comments, and ultimately became a board
member of the Johnston Soccer Club. Karen was typically one of the first to
arrive at a soccer game or tournament simply because she loved being there and
enjoyed watching and supporting the kids.
A love of sports led Karen to
take up running and to challenge herself to compete. At first, three and five
kilometer runs, the Dam to Dam, half marathons, and ultimately four marathons.
Marathons encompassed all of Karen’s passions – traveling, pushing herself
beyond her comfort zone, making new friends along the way, and most of all,
having fun.
Karen’s journey in this world was truly unique and everyone
that was included has many fond memories of the sparkle in her eyes, her hearty
laugh, her love of life, and her ability to make everyone she met feel like her
best friend.
The Karen Coaldrake Financial Assistance Fund provides for
families in our communities who need support and assistance so their child can
have the opportunity to play soccer. In Karen’s memory, please consider
supporting the KCFAF and help give every child the chance to continue their life
journey. Karen would and Karen did. If you would like to make a contribution to
the KCFAF, please
click here.