Jascott, who has volunteered since 2009, was the guest of honor at the Storehouse’s 2024 volunteer appreciation event at Riders Field, where she threw out the first pitch before a Frisco RoughRiders game
The Storehouse of Collin County has named longtime volunteer Kathy Jascott as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year for her dedicated service since 2009. Jascott, who has been a volunteer for The Storehouse since it first opened Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet, has logged more than 1,069 volunteer hours*, sorting and organizing donated clothing and helping people find the clothing they need for themselves and their families – all at no cost. On April 28, Jascott was the guest of honor at The Storehouse’s 2024 Volunteer Appreciation Celebration at Riders Field, where she was invited to throw out the first pitch at the Frisco RoughRiders game.
“Volunteering with The Storehouse has given me a new purpose after retirement,” said Kathy Jascott. “The Storehouse team is like a second family to me, and it is an honor to be recognized as volunteer of the year. I tell others that volunteering at Joseph’s Coat makes you aware of the needs of other people, and you can make an impact on their lives beyond providing them with clothing. We often refer neighbors to other programs of The Storehouse for additional help, and if The Storehouse cannot provide what they need, they will refer them to others who can.”
The Storehouse’s four integrated programs – the Seven Loaves Food Pantry, Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet, Project Hope Neighbor Care, and The Academy Education Program – work hand in hand to provide pathways toward transformation for the neighbors. As neighbors’ needs are identified in various programs, team members provide additional direction and assistance to help serve them holistically.
“Working closely with our neighbors leads to trust and a relationship with them, and they often open up to us about what is happening in their lives,” added Jascott. “One time we received a letter from a neighbor who had come to Joseph’s Coat in need of a coat, and we couldn’t find her size at first. She said in her letter that to most people she was invisible until she met us, and that really hit me. There are so many in need due to a variety of reasons, and we truly don’t realize that.”
Jascott expressed her amazement at the tremendous growth The Storehouse has seen since she first began volunteering. In the beginning, neighbors came to Joseph’s Coat and waited in a line to shop for clothing. In 2023, The Storehouse began serving neighbors by appointment three days a week. Today Joseph’s Coat distributes more than 7,500 articles of clothing to approximately 300 households per month. Neighbors may schedule appointments to shop for clothing once every two months.
“It has not only been exciting to see the changes within Joseph’s Coat, but also the addition of new programs at The Storehouse and how they all work together to best serve the neighbors,” added Jascott. “Years ago, I would have never imagined The Storehouse would have The Academy Education Program, which has led to job partnerships and employment for neighbors! Working together, we are building more community and helping our neighbors move toward long-term transformation.”
Today Jascott volunteers two to three times a week for about two to three hours at a time. She focuses much of her time on donated children’s clothing – one of the biggest needs in the clothing closet. The staff also refers to her as the children’s PJ queen because she is the best at locating and matching the pajama tops and bottoms, which she then pins together.
Originally from New Jersey, Jascott has lived in Texas for over 30 years. She and her husband Ron live in Plano and have a blended family with six children and 11 grandchildren, all of whom reside in Texas. She first learned about The Storehouse as a member of St. Andrew Methodist Church.
“When The Storehouse first began, I was just about ready to retire,” she said. “I worked in elementary education with children with special needs. “Volunteering at Joseph’s Coat is just what I do now, and I love it!”
Jascott shared that there are many incredible stories of serving neighbors in Joseph’s Coat.
“I can tell you that we witness miracles on a regular basis,” added Jascott. “Once a neighbor desperately needed some shoes in an unusual size. We couldn’t find anything, and then I saw in another area, a new pair in his size. And when we had that terrible ice storm a few years ago, a man came in who had no warm clothing. I happened to walk into another room and find a bag of sweatpants and other warm clothing – all in his size. Once a woman came in who had many children. Her older daughter was getting married, and she had nothing to wear for her wedding. We just happened upon a mother-of-the-bride dress hanging on a rack and found matching shoes – all in her size. These types of miraculous and emotional stories happen over and over again!”
Jascott enjoys sharing with others how important it is to volunteer. “I know that volunteering is a commitment, but once you do it, it changes your life. And through working in Joseph’s Coat, as an added benefit, you will also soon have the most organized closet at home because you are so used to sorting!”
“I don’t know how we could begin to thank Kathy Jascott for her many years of service in Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet at The Storehouse,” said Candace Winslow, CEO, The Storehouse. “She has been with us from the beginning, and she understands the impact that our integrated programs can have on our neighbors. She is a delight and a blessing to everyone she meets, and we are beyond grateful for her steadfast dedication to serving others. We congratulate Kathy, a beloved member of our Storehouse family, on this very special honor.”
To volunteer at The Storehouse, visit www.thestorehousecc.org/volunteer-sign-up.
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* Jascott's recorded volunteer hours only date back to 2016. She has also volunteered many additional hours from 2009-2016.
The Storehouse of Collin County, a nonprofit founded in 2009, provides short-term assistance and long-term transformation to residents of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties through four programs. Seven Loaves Food Pantry serves 5,000 families each month; Joseph’s Coat Clothing Closet provides clothing at no cost; Project Hope Neighbor Care offers case management and resource referral; and The Academy Education Program provides free and reduced-cost classes to assist with language, job, or life skills development. During its previous fiscal year, The Storehouse served 146,922 unduplicated neighbors with the support of more than 2,000 volunteers. In August 2023, the North Texas Food Bank honored The Storehouse with the Hope for Tomorrow Award. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org. The Storehouse EIN: 27-1883333