New T-shirts are storming through the community with a positive, simple message – Love Clarkston.
The T-shirts are a fundraiser for the Clarkston Girls Soccer Program but is made for everyone – not just soccer fans.
‘They are awesome because this is a new way for us to start fundraising and get the soccer program out there,? said senior Ashley Miles. ‘This represents Clarkston – this is who we are. We are the Wolves. It’s an awesome way to show they support our community.?
‘It’s a great way to start something new for fundraising for soccer,? added senior Stephanie Gabbard. ‘The T-shirts are nice for everyone to join in and get. Everyone can use a T-shirt.?
The T-shirt started with an idea from parent Julie LeBourdais.
She was making a handmade board to put on her wall to put her daughter, Anna’s, soccer photos on during the season.
‘I wanted to do something with the mascot and the ‘Love? theme,? she explained. ‘The more and more I thought about it – how can I use it and was trying to think of ways for fundraising for the girls soccer program.?
She called Mike Nelson, head coach for the varsity team and ran her idea by him.
‘We are always looking for new outlets of fundraising,? Nelson said. ‘And this is a good shirt design. It is for Clarkston and either or not you are an athlete, even if you have kids in the school or not – it’s good to represent Clarkston.?
He explained the money raised goes to everything they purchase for the program including equipment, uniforms and paying assistant coaches.
‘The more fundraising we can do and more successful we are the better equipment and higher quality of uniforms we can continue to get the girls,? Nelson added.
Julie contacted Logos & Letters, located 6525 Dixie Highway, to see if they could help her put it on a T-shirt and asked advice from other parents. Some gave her the advice to put it on camoflage print – a popular choice for the student fan section.
Julie posted the T-shirt on the Postively Clarkston Facebook and received overwhelming responses from not only fans but businesses and teachers.
‘When I posted it on Facebook, two school board members and 5-6 teachers reached out to me saying they want a T-shirt,? she explained. ‘Then, Anne Duffy from Independence Elementary said she wanted to do a staff order. It has snowballed from there.?
The T-shirts are for sale for $20 with the proceeds going to the Clarkston Girls Soccer Program. They are available in navy blue and camo.
The Lady Wolves will have a booth with Logos & Letters at the Taste of Clarkston on Sunday in downtown Clarkston from 12-6 p.m. The T-shirts are also available at Bordine’s Nursery and Logos & Letters.