2018 Vocational Service Award Recipient - Anne Bearse

Steve Albright presented this year’s Dick Appleton Vocational Service Award to Ann Bearse of Katelynn’s Closet. Katelynnn’s Closet was established in 2009 as a non-profit that provides needy children on Cape Cod and the Islands, ages 4-18, with clothing, footwear, and basics in order to help them maintain their dignity and foster self-esteem. Katelynnn’s Closet is named in honor of Katelynnn Bearse, who died at age nine and a half while waiting for a heart transplant she never received. Every day of Katelynnn’s life she had to negotiate medical obstacles. She loved clothing and fashion. When Katelynnn looked good, she felt good. It is the mission of Katelynn’s Closet that the children served will feel the same way. After Katelynnn died, her parents, Ann and Matt, with their son, Tyler, were foster parents to over twenty children. In 2009, they adopted two of them. The logo for Katelynn’s Closet, an infinity symbol, is to honor the homeless four year old girl named Infiniti, who spent her entire life on the streets of Hyannis. This little girl, who has long since been adopted and lives off-Cape, was the reason Katelynnn’s Closet got its start. When her situation came to the attention of two local sisters, Beth Davis and Susan Johnson, an idea to help local children in need formed. When Ann Bearse joined them, the three, guided by friend, Jeffrey Bilezikian, began Katelynnn’s Closet.

 

For more information on Katelynn's Closet or how you can help, click here. 

 

Pictured Left to Right: Steve Albright, Rotary District 7950 Governor Elect and member Rotary Club of Yarmouth; Ann Bearse, Founder and Director of Katelynn's Closet; Matt Fitzsimmons, President of Rotary Club of Yarmouth 2017-19