Repurposed-Soul_005
They say that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. It also can be another person’s meal ticket. Steve and Andrea Kohlman are not above sifting through “junk” for furniture that can be repurposed and sold in order to feed hungry children in Haiti. The couple’s deep passion for helping that country came after what Andrea described as a series of life-changing mission trips to the poverty-stricken island before and after the devastating 2010 earthquake.
A 31-year-old nursing care technician at University of Kentucky’s Chandler Medical Center and mother of two young daughters, Andrea was deeply affected, especially by the needs of the nutrition program sponsored by Waves of Mercy (a Haiti-based mission organization run by Larry and Diana Owen of Versailles, Ky., who also founded Northwest Haiti Christian Mission). In her numerous visits to Haiti to volunteer, she witnessed Haitian women forced to feed their malnourished children “mud cookies” to stave off hunger until their next meal could be found. Waves of Mercy (www.mercysaves.org) is undergoing a budget shortfall after eight elder members of their support team passed away last year.
“My heart was just so heavy about the thought of turning a sweet one away and being hungry,” Andrea recalled. “I came home and told Steve that we don’t have the money to give out of our pockets, but let’s just think about how God has gifted us so we can use that to make money to give, and then maybe help that deficit that they have.”
Earlier this year Repurposed Soul was born, and the Nicholasville residents decided to find unwanted furniture, revitalize it and sell it at bargain prices with all of the proceeds benefiting Waves of Mercy. Steve had some experience in decorating and repurposing through his work at Southland Christian Church, and knew they had a broad network of potential customers through the church and Andrea’s time in nursing school and working at UK.
“My favorite finds are the treasures you can find in someone else’s trash,” said Steve, 34. “Believe it or not there are some really good things you can find if you’re willing to go to those places.”
He said the couple makes many thrift store visits and sometimes finds pieces at yard sales and estate sales.
“And then as people begin to find out what we’re doing and that we’re raising money for Haiti, a lot of people have offered to give things to us,” he said.
Steve was excited about one of his recent finds: a “gorgeous dresser at Goodwill that was already sanded and ready to go.” The couple cleaned it up, stained it and sold it for a $125 profit for Waves of Mercy.
“It’s neat now knowing that when something sells, 100 percent of that profit is going to go to feed orphans and starving children,” he said. “That’s what keeps me motivated.”
The ability to be creative also is a motivator.
“You can’t just run out to Pottery Barn or Target and pick something up like this,” Steve said, pointing to an antique armchair he repurposed.
The couple sands, paints, stains, upholsters or simply repairs furniture all in a creative fashion. Andrea said they often find inspiration on Pinterest, and sometimes their two young daughters help. Andrea said her daughters are good at picking out fabric and that they have fun as a family working together on projects.
The Kohlmans see each piece of furniture as a chance to directly help feed Haitian children. They have a goal to help with the $1,000-plus monthly budget shortfall the Owens face, and so far have been able to send more than $1,000 to Waves of Mercy.
When they first started Repurposed Soul, Steve said he felt anxious about
not selling enough of the furniture, resulting in more hungry children. But he has seen now firsthand how responsive people are to the affordable and unique furniture.
He said the key is moving pieces quickly, to avoid overcrowding their three-bedroom home and to keep a cash flow to Waves of Mercy.
“The point is to get it and sell it so babies can be fed,” Andrea said, noting that they pay for all of the repurposing costs out of their pockets and do all of the labor themselves.
“But, you know, it’s my release,” Steve added. “I can’t sit still, I’ve got to be doing something. We get tired because it does have a physical element to it, but it’s fun to take something that someone would consider trash – to take it and make it new. There is so much symbolism in what we do.”
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