Healing Loft
About Us
What originally started as selecting a family to help out eventually became asking for coat donations for a specific school in the area. It was then that we knew there was a great need in the Upper Peninsula for winter coats, snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, mittens, and blankets.
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We then formed The Healing Loft. We worked with churches and organizations through out Michigan and each year since we have grown to include more distribution and contribution partners. We also partnered with Mission Air Support Services, which has enabled us to fly deliveries to communities that are more remote and to deliver urgently needed coats more quickly. Since our beginning we have expanded to include, not only the Upper Peninsula, but the Lower Peninsula of Michigan as well.
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We believe that the need will be double in winter 2023/2024. This means we must increase our coat drives and the fund raising between now and then. Our team has been busy making phone calls, sending out letters, and talking to people to make these goals happen. We also plan on having several fund raisers this year.
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We are entering exciting times!
We hope you come back here to stay updated on what God is doing.
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Our Story
Almost 10 years ago Brian and I went through a very difficult period of time when Brian became very ill and we lost his income. We had five children at home and we had to do the one thing we never dreamed we would have to do, depend on others for food, clothes, and money to help pay our utilities and medical bills. Someone donated winter coats for every member in our family and food pantries helped keep food in our bellies. We would have been living on the streets if it wasn’t for His Love and our community.
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It was during those very dark times that God took care of us through the churches and loving people in the community and through many people we had never met. He showed us every day that He did not forget about us, even though we felt totally helpless.
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He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you.
Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
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As we began to recover, God gave us a vision to help others going through the storms of life. He even gave us the name of our charity, The Healing Loft. I remember thinking, what a strange name. The word “Healing”, I understood, but the word “Loft”? In 2016, He called us to the Upper Peninsula to serve Him and the people of the UP.
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In November 2017, we moved to Trout Lake, a town we had never heard of, and we began to settle into a new culture and build relationships. In 2018, He showed us it was time to begin our work. We started very small by serving individuals and families. In 2019, we knew we had our first coat drive for our local school children. The generosity was overwhelming, and we served over 100 children and their families.
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As we talked about formally organizing a nonprofit, we already knew what we were going to call it, “The Healing Loft”. And it was then we understood “Loft”! God wants to Heal the Loft of Michigan, the UP.
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Since that first school distribution, we have petitioned God to expand our territory. We now serve communities all over Michigan, Lower and Upper. We are seeing the need grow to more and more families as times are becoming more difficult and uncertain. In winter 2023/2024, we are expecting to give out double the coats and winter wear that we have done so far.
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To accomplish this mission, we need to partner with hundreds of people. People who pray, who donate funds, items, their networking skills, and time. We hope you will consider becoming part of our team and contribute in whatever way (big or small) God is calling you. ​
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That we may be mutually encouraged
by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1:12
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Praising the God Who Moves Mountains!
Ellen Kornoelje, Director
Chaplain
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