Dear Members of the Community,

I am very proud of my daughter.  She was written up in the "913" section of the Johnson County edition of the Kansas City Star on May 9, 2012. They were highlighting her work for her charity, Blake's Closet.

We are currently taking clothing and shoe donations. If you have any that you would like to donate, please contact us and we can pick them up and provide a tax receipt!!

In the Fall of 2010 the first Blake’s Closet event was organized by Blue Valley West High School student Blake Carnes. More than 700 men, women and children were outfitted with clothing which was donated by the community. Blake’s compassion for needy families in our community is still powerful and so the second Blake’s Closet is planned for Saturday, October 29, 2011!

We need your help in giving back to those in need in our community. The Blue Valley Cetera Advisors LLC-Service Center (a program of Johnson County Human Services), located at the Blue Valley Academy at 151st & Metcalf, 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. Blake decided that she wanted to come up with a solution to meet this need. As a result, we have partnered with Stilwell United Methodist Church to create Blake’s Closet. Our organization is in the process of becoming a 501C3, which means your contribution may be tax deductible. We are collecting clothes and shoes (men’s, women’s, and children’s) that are clean with no rips, stains or tears and will be distributing the items to the clients of the Johnson County Human Services needing assistance.

The Blue Valley MSC continues to serve those in need in our community through the food pantry and by providing emergency financial assistance services, and will be referring eligible Blue Valley families to Blake’s closet again this year. Additionally, Blake’s Closet serves families in other areas of Johnson County, including the DeSoto, Gardner, Olathe, Spring Hill, and Shawnee Mission communities. Clients are screened by the Johnson County Human Services Cetera Advisors LLC-Service Centers, along with Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and other assistance programs to verify their need for assistance.

As you clean out your closets please consider donating items to Blake's Closet. There is a huge need for all types of clothing including dresses for dances. Donations can be either dropped off at our house (14704 Carter, off 147th between Antioch and Switzer) or we are more than willing to pick them up. If dropping off please place your clothing donations in trash bags and leave them on the front porch. Please let me know if you are making a donation so that you can receive a letter thanking you for your donation. If you want your items picked up, please feel free to call Blake at 913-209-7350 or Kim at 913-226-5981.

If you have any questions, we would be happy to provide the Director of the Service Centers contact information. They are not involved in the organization other than referring clients to Blake's Closet.

Our family has enjoyed giving back to the community and has been volunteering at the Blue Valley Cetera Advisors LLC-Service Center for years. We feel that this is a great way to give back to the community. Thank you for your support in this community project. Please feel free to pass this on to anyone that you think might have an interest in this organization.

Sincerely,

Mark, Kim, Blake, Bethany, Katie Carnes

Update October 2011

A HUGE thank you to Jennifer Sosna and her staff and students at De Soto High School and Aubrey Bend. To date, they have been the single largest contributor of shoes and clothing to Blake's Closet. Their drive contributed over 3,000 items!!! The community is very proud of them.

Update June 2012

Blake's Closet held the annual food drive and collected over 775 non perishable food items. The items were taken to the Blue Valley Cetera Advisors LLC-Service Center.

Update October 2012

Blake's Closet is hosting the annual distribution on October 20,2012 at Presbyterian Church of Stanley from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. If you would like to help with set up on the 19th or the distribution on the 20th, please let us know. We are also accepting gently used clothing and shoes.

Spring 2013

Blake's Closet is currently doing toiletry drives with Blue Valley School District, a toothbrush and toothpaste drive with United Methodist church of the Resurrection and a clothing drive with Advent Lutheran Church.