Local woodworking business announces nonprofit for veterans

Anna Kolin, co-owner of Inspired Lumber Workshop, views her cousin, who was a parajumper in the Air Force, as a “true American hero.”

Her desire to help others just like him led Anna and her husband Brian to start the Salute to Carpentry program. The free six-week woodworking program is designed to provide veterans with opportunities for fellowship with other veterans and empowerment through woodworking.

“The intent was pure,” Mrs. Kolin said. “Before we knew it, we were developing a program that would use woodworking as the vehicle to provide real-world skills to veterans while encouraging relationships and a sense of community.”

The workshop has taken that mission a step further by creating the Inspired Lumber Project, a nonprofit organization that creates programs designed to “educate, build camaraderie, and deepen a sense of purpose” for veterans, first responders, and specialized groups like individuals with developmental disabilities.

Salute to Carpentry is the keystone program of the Inspired Lumber Project, Mrs. Kolin said at a Wednesday news conference announcing the nonprofit and its program.

“Our goal is to significantly expand the availability to veterans in the community in 2025,” she said.

Veterans like Mike Stein, who’s currently in the Salute to Carpentry program, have found that camaraderie and sense of confidence.

The Toledo resident, who served as a medic in the U.S. Navy for four years, said he always admired people who knew how to woodwork but was nervous about handling tools since he’d never done it before.

“[The program] has just given me some confidence in learning a new skill and an opportunity to meet some other veterans who have all served in different ways, in different parts of the world, and it’s been cool to see the camaraderie develop,” Mr. Stein said.

Since its start in January, Salute to Carpentry has had a 100 percent graduation rate of the nearly 50 residents who participated in the program, Ms. Kolin said. It provides vets with “the fundamentals of woodworking, in a safe, professional wood shop,” according to the workshop’s website.

The goal for the newfound nonprofit is to provide the program to 200 new veterans and 50 returning veterans through the Inspired Lumber Project’s 2.0 program.

“Through their skill development, they’ll be able to provide valuable resources and support to groups in need,” she said. “The positive effects ripple outward, strengthening families, neighborhoods, and a broader community. … The Inspired Lumber Project’s commitment also extends to providing educational programming for children, neurodiverse individuals, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The Inspired Lumber Project’s status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization is pending with the Internal Revenue Service.