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Donated by: Jocelyn Roldan

Just 30 minutes down the road, it feels like a world that many people don’t often see. Many of us are grateful to have the luxuries that we do, a city so close to us doesn’t have the same necessities. However, many individuals notice these problems and spring into action, trying to make a difference in the community and help those in need. Once a Girl Scout Gold Award to now a full non-profit organization, Kathy’s Kloset brings clothing to those who need it the most. 

Every month, the National Honor Society (NHS) specifically dedicates time to aid any non-profit organizations we could, this organization in particular, holds a special place in my heart. From my personal time volunteering there before, I’ve learned how special used clothing can be to someone in these areas. It’s truly an eye-opening experience to see something we take for granted to be offered to someone in need. The way they take the clothing with such gratitude, despite its slight usage, shows just how lucky we should be to receive the latest fashion. 

Kathy’s Kloset stands at a church to provide clothing to their clients without any questions asked. Also, citizens can donate slightly tailored or used prom dresses and tuxedos to give teens something to wear to prom. Due to the high expenses of these dresses, not everyone can afford to have a nice dress to walk into the ballroom with; however, a Girl Scout saw this issue and made her own organization to give every teenager a dress or tuxedo to wear. Since the girl graduated, they made her gold award into a fully-operational non-profit organization to continue helping those in need.

For this workshop, it was divided into two shifts of organizing the clothing before their clients came to take whatever they needed. Putting the shoes just underneath the foldable tables where the clothing laid, it was the first two hours of the workshop. Afterwards, the organization opened their business to their clients so they would be able to bring clothing back to their family and even grab some for themselves. Their clothing has some for both adults and children, which allowed for everyone to find whatever they needed. 

This was truly an amazing experience and one that I will never forget. For years, I’ve loved volunteering and putting any of my free time towards helping others and giving back to the community. No matter the struggles in my own life, I want to continue helping others as people once helped me, which only made this workshop even more special as the coordinator has always been there to give me a helping hand. Along with her supporting me, it is an honor to volunteer for her organization that continues to show me how lucky I am to live the life I do.