Sievertsen seeks help for tornado victims
CEDAR FALLS – The final regular-season home game is always dedicated to the seniors on the University of Northern Iowa football team. However, one senior wants to turn the attention to tornado victims this Saturday when the Panthers host Western Illinois at 4 p.m. in the UNI-Dome.
Northern Iowa placekicker Tyler Sievertsen is asking fans to help his family and their neighbors in Washington, Ill., after an EF-4 tornado devastated the town last weekend by donating new toys in time for the holiday gift-giving season.
One resident was killed and about 120 others were injured in the town of approximately 15,000. Reports say 400 homes were damaged when winds reached an estimated 170 to 190 miles per hour.
Sievertsen, a Cedar Rapids Kennedy graduate, was touched by a photo of his cousin’s child, who found his favorite toy in the rubble, giving Sievertsen the idea for a toy drive. The family also was fortunate to be reunited with its dog thanks to social media efforts.
