'Woodhaven Strong': Teens' T-shirt sales raise more than $9,000 for tornado relief

SUBLETTE – For St. Charles teens Collin Mikottis, 17, and his sister Kayla Mikottis, 13, a little bit of their childhood has died.

The two have spent many summers relaxing on their family’s plot of land in Woodhaven Lakes, where their grandparents had a trailer that had been bought for their anniversary.

On June 22, tornadoes ripped through northern Illinois, hitting Sublette and the private campground hard. An EF-2 tornado tore a path 7.8 miles long and caused the strongest tornado damage in Lee County since July 8, 1993, www.weather.gov reported.

Woodhaven lost a lot of trees, many that toppled onto RVs. The siblings watched the news unfold on TV.

“I was in disbelief,” Kayla said. “You never think those things will happen to you.”

The next day, Collin and Kayla decided to sell “Woodhaven Strong” T-shirts to benefit tornado victims. Kayla took to Facebook to help advertise their campaign, and received rave reviews.

“Everybody loves T-shirts,” Collin said. “I just thought it was a good way to raise money”

After only a week, they had sold more than 1,200 shirts and raised $9,000. Sales will continue at least through Sunday, and maybe longer, depending on how last-minute sales go.

The money will go to Lee County United Way, which will distribute it to the American Red Cross and the Amboy and Sublette fire departments.

On July 17, the teens will be recognized by Woodhaven Lakes for their efforts.

They were surprised by how their small idea grew into something so big.

“I was excited thinking that many people wanted to be a part of it,” Kayla said.

Unfortunately, a visit to the campground on June 27 revealed the worst: Their grandparents’ beloved trailer was among those destroyed, knocked off its foundation and crushed by a felled tree.

“I immediately broke down crying,” Kayla said. The campground “was completely wooded before, and now there’s an insane lack of trees.”

“I didn’t dwell on it,” Collin said. “There’s not much you can do besides move ahead.”

SHIRTS ON ORDER

"Woodhaven Strong" T-shirts cost $15, and hoodies are $25, at teespring.com/woodhaven-strong.

All proceeds will go to Lee County United Way.