Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Davis.
Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Greetings, I am a licensed hairstylist for 33 years and have resided in the Lewisville, TX area for 18 years. Over ten years ago, I reached out to my clients who were school teachers and asked them who was homeless and who lived in shelters. My outreach started! I would ask clients to help me buy clothes, shoes, school supplies for the children and families, and we would donate everything to the families in need. It kept growing and growing and growing. More people in the Community heard about what we were doing. I purchased a storage 3 years ago to put the clothes in that we were receiving from so many people even from people in different Counties. When the pandemic started, Kind People began to donate furniture and household items. We donate everything with integrity to families in other States as well, including Louisiana and Mexico for three years now on a monthly basis. We were featured on Channel 5 news last Summer when we took several boxes and bags of clothes to a Shelter in Balch Springs after families there suffered home fires. February 2022, we applied for our 501c3 Tax Exempt and received it in March 2022. The Board and Advisors, and Volunteers are made up of 10 kind people that helped me from the beginning. There are several events that our organization has done since receiving our 501c3 tax exempt. Ms. Karen’s Community Closet had our Coat Drive in the Fall of 2022, collecting coats and blankets for the homeless and underserved families in Denton County. We also had our 1st Celebration Gala in December 2022, Honoring 6 women who survived sex trafficking, domestic violence, breast cancer, and homelessness. In April of 2023, we hosted our 1st Senior Citizens Breakfast at IHOP in Lewisville, TX. May 2023, Ms. Karen’s Community Closet, Non-profit Organization, will host out 1st Back to School supplies giveaway to benefit Lewisville Elementary School with backpacks, school supplies, food, toys, games, and prizes! These are annual events we will host along with donating clothes on a weekly and monthly basis to families of domestic violence, natural disaster areas, also partnering with others in the Community and with Non-profit organizations to help families on a broader base. Ms. Karen’s Community Closet will host a Cancer Awareness Luncheon in the Fall of 2023 and will donate toys to the local schools for Christmas in December 2023. All of this is made possible by awesome people! Sponsors, Donors, Single Moms, Single Dads, Businesses, Community Leaders, City of Lewisville., donating new and gently used clothes, shoes, toys, household items, furniture, school supplies, etc., to our organization, and we donate it back to families in need. As proud members of the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce, we are grateful for their generosity and support of our organization. The great Mentors and Coaches that guide us makes it possible and encourages our success to continue with our mission.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
At the beginning, it was a hand full of people helping me. Alot of times, I spent my bill money helping others, paying utility bills and medical bills; I did not want to see anyone hurting or going without food or shelter. The need is always greater!!! I went alone a lot, feeding and helping the homeless. Driving to many areas picking up and dropping off clothes to underserved families. 2022, I drove 15,000 miles delivering clothes and household items to families in need. A few Team members and volunteers help most of the time, but this is my mission, and I am living my purpose out.
As you know, we’re big fans of Karen Davis Salon. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
I am a Self-Employed Hairstylist and Barber – Independent Contractor for 33 years. I still love my profession all these years later. Making men and women look beautiful while promoting healthy hair! I am a counselor, therapist, friend, and family to the wonderful clients that I serve at the salon
I am also a Decorator and Coordinator for Weddings, Baby Showers, etc… When the time permits. (Karen Davis Floral Decor and Designs) is my floral business. I have been making all Occasion silk flower wreaths for over 10 years.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Learning that everyone’s path is different, and some people will stay with you forever, and some people will eventually go down another street to continue their journey away from yours. Also, I want to help everyone, and I am learning that I cannot. I am only assigned to a number of people to plant seeds into their lives, water it, and move on to the next person who is in need.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Ms. Karen’s Community Closet, Non-profit Organization
