Kenzie's CLOSET Newsletter

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In This Issue:
Cincy Chic Partners with Kenzie's Closet
Volunteer Corner
Meet Some of Kenzie’s CLOSET’s Board Members
Spin it to Win It
National Junior Honor Society Hosts Accessory Drive

Cincy Chic Partners with Kenzie's Closet

Cincy Chic raised $450 and collected more than 200 dresses at its July 2010 “Wearable Art Fashion Show” to benefit Kenzie’s Closet.

Cincy Chic’s Wearable Art Fashion Show asked attendees to either donate $10 or a gently used dress for access into the event. Since then, the funds were tallied and dresses have been sorted and inspected. In total, $450 and more than 200 dresses were collected.

"I’m so proud of the hundreds of Cincy Chic readers who came out to show their support through cash and clothing donations," said Cincy Chic publisher Amy Scalia. "As the founder of this online publication for women in Cincinnati, nothing makes me happier than to see local ladies lending a hand to help the next generation of women."

Volunteer Corner

Everyone knows that Kenzie’s Closet would not be what it is today without our volunteers; and that means the high school volunteers and our adult volunteers. From the original high school volunteer days in autumn to sort dresses, purses, shoes, wraps, etc. through shopping days where adult and high “school-ers” come together to dress our girls, they are an integral part of Kenzie’s Closet. And let’s not forget our amazing seamstresses who make sure that those dresses that are picked shape themselves perfectly to ensure that dreams really do come true!

Typically in the fall, we have 10-20 high school girls working in our retail shop, pink bags strewn about being filled with goodies for the girls we dress for prom. There is a lot of chatter and laughter but our Retail Manager, Lauren Hope makes sure that it is all intermingled with WORK! On shopping days, it takes quite a lot of volunteers, both adults and high school students to dress 40 girls! Needless to say, it requires dedication, concentration, and innovation to complete our job of making a girl’s dream come true and with that amount of people squeezed into a small space, it’s like fitting the constitution onto the head of a pin!

Today, we would like to commend one of our wonderful high school volunteers (though keep in mind that they are ALL invaluable!)

Caity Sanderson, a junior at Purcell Marian High School, has volunteered at Kenzie’s CLOSET for two years. She has been a huge help in sorting dresses and shawls to get ready for shopping days. This year, being a seasoned veteran, Lauren asked Caity to work with new volunteers to show them the “ropes”. She not only was very informative, but her sweet nature made newcomers feel very welcome.

During 2011’s prom season, Caity stepped up and became Kenzie’s photographer, taking pictures of the girls when they were fully outfitted. She did such an incredible job we will probably see if she can help us in this area again for prom season 2012.

Thank you so much Caity for all you do!

Meet Some of Kenzie’s CLOSET’s Board Members

Kenzie’s Closet has recently expanded its Board of Directors! These incredible men and women volunteer their quite valuable time to further help Kenzie’s Closet to expand and dress even more girls year after year. Please meet some of them!

Robert E. Coletti	Robert E. Coletti Bob is a partner at the law firm Keating Muething & Klekamp. Bob and his wife Brynne, Kenzie's Executive Director, have 4 children.
Paula Comisar	As the mother of Kenzie, whom Kenzie’s CLOSET was named for, Paula was honored when Brynne asked if she could name her organization after her daughter. Kenzie was known for her generosity and big heart and Paula is touched by the reception of this worthy cause and proud to be part of a board that helps young women achieve their dreams.
James A. Donnellon	Jim is a CPA and Director with Barnes Dennig, the 5th largest accounting firm in Cincinnati. He is also a proud father of three and past prom chaperone. Having two daughters, Jim knows just how important "the dress" is and the impact Kenzie’s Closet has on local young women.
Barbara Gehrig	Barb is on the Board of Caracole and Children's Convalescent Center. She also volunteers weekly at Marjorie P Lee and serves on the Christ Church Cathedral Alter Guild. She and her husband Michael have 3 grown children who continually remind her that you never stop being a mother.
Louis D. George	Managing Director and member of the Executive Committee for Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, LLP. On the board for many companies including but not limited to TOMS Shoes, EnovaPremier, LLC, The Devine Group, Crestone Capital Advisors, LLC, and Ascendum. Married with three children.
Karen Hoeb	said she was privileged to work with Brynne in the early days of Kenzie’s CLOSET. Karen served as the Executive Director of The Farmer Family Foundation (200-2006), was CEO to The Greater Cincinnati Foundation (1988-1996), and is currently a board member to SC Ministry Foundation and Community Learning Centers.
Johnetta Johnson	Johnetta teaches American Sign Language at Purcell Marian, where she’s taught for 12 years. She is also a part of a non-profit organization named Keyz2Life. She enjoys singing, organizing closets, and spending time with her family.
Amy F. Joseph	Brynne’s sister, Amy caught the “Kenzie’s CLOSET” bug early on and wanted to add her time and talents to this dynamic organization, volunteering on shopping days and helping in any way she can. A busy wife and mom of three, she is involved with many projects at Saint Ursula Academy as well as taking care of her family.
Sister Janet Linz	Holding a BA/MA/ and teaching and principal certification in Indiana and Ohio, Sister Janet is currently the co-director of the Lavatus Powell Program at Purcell Marian High School. She also volunteers on several other non-profit committees, including the finance committee for the Sisters of St. Francis Oldenburg, IN and is a member of the Over the Rhine Community Council.
Marylou McLiwraith	Marylou is an active volunteer in many community events and mission trips. She is a seamstress and buyer for Kenzie’s Closet. When she's not at Kenzie’s she can be found on the paddle court!
Colleen H. Nardini	Married mother of one son who attends High Point University, NC. Colleen is a member of Parents Council HPU, President House Board, and Theta Phi Alpha Sorority, UC. She has been involved with Kenzie's Closet from its beginning and finds it very rewarding.
Barbara Seibel	President/CEO of Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates (JCG). JCG works with high school students with challenges to success and their young ladies have greatly benefited from the wonderful work done by Kenzie’s Closet.

Spin it to Win It

Kenzie’s CLOSET participated in the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s disease charity event on November 19, 2011 at the Cincinnati Sports Mall. Our own Lauren Hope, Retail Manager, acted as their "Vanna White" dressed in a Kenzie’s CLOSET prom gown and accessories. The event raised $10,000 for the Davis Phinney Foundation!

KAO Brands Volunteers in a BIG Way!

On December 19, 2011, 10 ladies from the marketing department of the Global Hair Care Strategy & Innovation for KAO Brands stopped into Kenzie’s CLOSET, bringing a delicious breakfast with them, to see our boutique and how we run it. Then, they loaded up and drove to our storage unit with us where they spent all morning sorting, organizing, and helping us get our dresses ready for the 2012 prom season. These gals were amazing making short work of what would have taken our retail manager days to finish! In addition, they donated loads of goodies to fill the bags for the girls we dress on shopping days.

Way to go KAO and thank you for all you do for Kenzie’s!

National Junior Honor Society Hosts Accessory Drive

Five students at Our Lady of Victory coordinated an accessory drive on behalf of Kenzie’s CLOSET at their school and Seton High School. These five students created and distributed flyers to advertise this drive. Starting on Tuesday, January 3 through Tuesday, January 10 at Seton High School, and from January 3 through January 13 at Our Lady of Victory, a box has been placed at their respective main offices to receive students’ donations. They will be collected and become a part of our boutique to complete the lovely prom dresses chosen by our girls.

Thank you for your hard work to add glitz and glamour to our girls at their proms! Top of Page