Vanderhoof, B.C.-  Today, friends and family will gather to take part in the Maddy Poker Ride.

Sadly, this is the third time this ride has taken place as it comes on the eve of the 3rd anniversary of the disappearance of 20 year old Madison Scott (shown in photo at right).

The young woman from Vanderhoof was partying with friends at Hogsback Lake  near Vanderhoof,  and  was last seen alive  around 3 a.m. on May 28th,  2011.   All efforts to locate her have failed to turn up any sign of her,   and while RCMP continue to investigate, they have not been able to solve her disappearance.

It has been a grueling three years for her family and friends,  and this year,  her  parents have issued the following  statement:

May 28th will mark 3 years since the disappearance of Madison Scott. It remains an unexplained mystery that leaves a family searching for answers, and ultimately the return of a loved one. The days are often extended and certainly do not get easier as time elapses. The holidays tend to lose the majority of their significance with the absence of a family member, thus resulting in an incomplete gathering. Our days are consumed reflecting on her presence and the memories, while we anticipate the dreams that present the opportunity for the long-delayed reconnection; the opportunity to communicate a few words, or the grasp of a hug is an indescribable sensation, although it is a just dream. We grip closely the words that include Hope, Faith, Believe, and Love, which have simply coalesced within our daily language. The respective connotations produce positive energies that have enabled us to remain strong and convinced that the desired solutions will be yielded.

One of the most difficult aspects is having the matters of a reserved family become a public affair. Although we all have become much invested in retrieving a common explanation, the words to address the topic are most challenging to find, and often awkward to communicate. Furthermore, it is near impossible to find the appropriate words to express our appreciation for the persisting support. Our family has been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by relentless family, friends, and communities. We are forever grateful for the enduring and continuous support.

Our family has been preparing for the 3rd Maddy Poker Ride as we approach the date of Maddy’s disappearance. The poker ride enables our family to maintain our presence and sustain awareness within the community. It is also an opportunity to correspondingly enjoy the activities that Maddy loves most. This event is a true representation of Maddy; it has become a social gathering of friends, family, and community members in a setting in which Maddy blooms most while presenting a connection to the outdoors through her preferred activities. We hope you are able to join us in this opportunity to maintain the awareness and enjoy the day in true Maddy fashion.

We would once again like to thank you for your extended and persistent support.

Sincerely, The Scott Family 

The Maddy Poker ride, is open to those who want to walk,  ride a quad or  ride a horse. Although there  is  an “entry fee” for  each “hand” of cards,  the event is  aimed at  being a further search for Maddy and  as a way to raise awareness  about her disappearance.

There are three  starting points:

• Horses leave from Jody & Jewel Volts from 10am-12pm.
• Walkers leave from Mapes Hall from 12pm-2pm.
• Quads leave from Brian & Diane Ramages from 11am-1pm.

You can call 250-567-0923 for  detailed information on  starting points.