Kait's Angels Raise $6K+ To Help Families In Need: PHOTOS

MATTITUCK, NY — A loving community opened its hearts Saturday, flocking to a Kait's Angels yard sale organized to raise funds for two local families facing challenges.

Joe and Darla Doorhy lost their daughter Kaitlyn five years ago, on Aug. 22; she was hit by a car while away at college. A heavy blanket of grief cloaked the community as all struggled to grasp the loss of a young woman, a former Mattituck Lions Club Strawberry Queen, known for her bright smile, philanthropic spirit and caring heart.

But tragedy turned to hope when Kait's Angels was formed in Kaitlyn's memory, with an eye toward acts of kindness in her memory.

On Saturday, Kait's Angels hosted Community Yard Sale to benefit Nick Coutts and Keri Stomski. Coutts was injured in a motorcycle crash in June; and Stromski is a kindergarten teacher, wife and mom battling Stage IV breast cancer who chronicles her journey in a blog, "Faith Over Fear."

The community turned out in force, donating items for the sale and purchasing wagons-full of items. When all was said and done, the event raised $6,310 to help, Darla Doorhy said.

Her son Nick, Tess Bannon said — Nick and his mom, as well as the entire Stromski family, attended the yard sale — was also the recipient of proceeds raised at the Coutts' Corner Poker Run event. Nick and she agreed that they would like to pay it forward every year; next year, they will organize the 2nd annual Coutts' Corner Poker Run for another family in need, she said.

"It's how our community does things. We leave no family down and that part of the love and generosity received did not surprise me one bit," she said.

Stromski was also touched by the outpouring of caring from Kait's Angels.

"Darla was a friend before her daughter passed, and has become a blessing since," Stromski said. "We don't have the same situation, but we both know grief. We've learned how you don't ever get 'over' hard times, but you get through them. We all have choices to make regarding how we react to situations. Darla took a tragedy and has made so many people's lives better, all in her daughter's memory. Darla is the head angel of Kait's Angels. I love her."