About Blake's Closet
My name is Blake Carnes and I am currently a Blue Valley High School student. In 2010, my family and I founded Blake’s Closet. Blake’s Closet is a non-profit organization that provides clothing for families in the local community. I was driven to start Blake’s Closet because I saw a need in the community and wanted to make a difference. I have always had a passion for community service and serving others, and I knew that this would be the perfect opportunity to do that. Blake’s Closet has allowed me to touch the lives of over 1700 men, women, and children through clothing that was donated by the community. Blake’s Closet serves families in the Blue Valley, Shawnee Mission, Olathe, DeSoto, Gardner, and Spring Hill areas, as well as clients from Catholic Charities, Safehome, Salvation Army and other assistance programs available to the community.
Before starting Blake’s Closet I had been an avid volunteer for over 7 years at The Blue Valley Multi-Service Center (BVSMC), a program of Johnson County Human Services. The BVMSC is located on the Blue Valley School District Office Campus at 151st & Metcalf, and it serves families and individuals in need in our area. During the past few years, they have experienced large increases in the numbers of people requesting assistance. Due to program restructuring by Johnson County Human Services, the Blue Valley MSC Clothing Closet was closed in December of 2010. I decided that I wanted to come up with a solution to meet this need, and decided to create Blake’s Closet. My organization has recently achieved a 501(c)3 status, which means clothing contributions may be tax deductible.
In 2005 I saw a need for food in the community, and decided to organize my first food drive. I began by going door to door asking for donations, and eventually started organizing large scale collections in local schools during the years that followed. All the food that I collected during these drives went to the Blue Valley Multi Service Center to benefit those needing assistance in our community. During the summer there is a greater need for food at the center because without the help of free and reduced lunch program services, people in our community will have a harder time putting food on the table. This is why I chose this time of year for my annual food drive, because the need for food increases. Blake's Closet was able to collect over 800 items in the last food drive..
In order to make Blake’s Closet and the annual food drive possible; community involvement is necessary. As the time of year approaches for the food drive, I would like to ask that you check your pantry for any non-perishable food items that could benefit the Blue Valley Multi-Service Center, and donate them. Even one item can make a difference. I would also ask that before throwing any clothing items, you donate them to Blake’s Closet so that someone in the community could benefit from the clothing. Any clothing donation made will be tax deductible. Blake's Closet is also newly accredited to approve Presidential Community Service Hours.
If you would like more information on Blake’s Closet, please visit www.facebook.com/blakescloset. If you have any questions you can contact me, Blake Carnes, by email at blakescloset@gmail.com
Thank you for supporting Blake’s Closet and helping me in an effort to make a positive impact!
Sincerely,
Blake Carnes
Founder of Blake's Closet
Blue Valley High School Senior
Before starting Blake’s Closet I had been an avid volunteer for over 7 years at The Blue Valley Multi-Service Center (BVSMC), a program of Johnson County Human Services. The BVMSC is located on the Blue Valley School District Office Campus at 151st & Metcalf, and it serves families and individuals in need in our area. During the past few years, they have experienced large increases in the numbers of people requesting assistance. Due to program restructuring by Johnson County Human Services, the Blue Valley MSC Clothing Closet was closed in December of 2010. I decided that I wanted to come up with a solution to meet this need, and decided to create Blake’s Closet. My organization has recently achieved a 501(c)3 status, which means clothing contributions may be tax deductible.
In 2005 I saw a need for food in the community, and decided to organize my first food drive. I began by going door to door asking for donations, and eventually started organizing large scale collections in local schools during the years that followed. All the food that I collected during these drives went to the Blue Valley Multi Service Center to benefit those needing assistance in our community. During the summer there is a greater need for food at the center because without the help of free and reduced lunch program services, people in our community will have a harder time putting food on the table. This is why I chose this time of year for my annual food drive, because the need for food increases. Blake's Closet was able to collect over 800 items in the last food drive..
In order to make Blake’s Closet and the annual food drive possible; community involvement is necessary. As the time of year approaches for the food drive, I would like to ask that you check your pantry for any non-perishable food items that could benefit the Blue Valley Multi-Service Center, and donate them. Even one item can make a difference. I would also ask that before throwing any clothing items, you donate them to Blake’s Closet so that someone in the community could benefit from the clothing. Any clothing donation made will be tax deductible. Blake's Closet is also newly accredited to approve Presidential Community Service Hours.
If you would like more information on Blake’s Closet, please visit www.facebook.com/blakescloset. If you have any questions you can contact me, Blake Carnes, by email at blakescloset@gmail.com
Thank you for supporting Blake’s Closet and helping me in an effort to make a positive impact!
Sincerely,
Blake Carnes
Founder of Blake's Closet
Blue Valley High School Senior
