Organizer: Michelle Allen, Founder of Whispering Willow
Funding Goal: $12,500
Location: Newfield Township, Michigan
đź’š The Vision
Imagine a quiet cabin tucked into 20 wooded acres in western Michigan—a place where hunters, anglers, hikers, and weary travelers reconnect with the land, with their stories, and with themselves.
The Willow Lodge is more than lodging. It’s a legacy project. A nature-wrapped short-term rental created from a once-unused unit on our family property—restored with love, crafted by hand, and rooted in healing through hospitality. It’s a space designed to invite rest, reflection, and reconnection.
This retreat grows from the heart of Whispering Willow, my storytelling platform focused on remembrance, community, and renewal. Now, I’m bringing that vision off the page and into the woods.
🛠️ The Plan
With construction led by my partner Dan (a skilled framer with 30+ years of experience), and support from my kids and community, we’re transforming this rustic building into a welcoming lodge for short-term guests. Your contribution supports:
- Safe plumbing, electrical, and shower installation
- Queen and bunk beds, dressers, and cozy furnishings
- Smart lock and exterior security lighting
- Guest guidebooks, curated gift baskets, and welcome materials (all from local vendors and small businesses)
- Licensing, STR insurance, and professional compliance
- Dumpster rental, repairs, and finish work
- Unexpected costs like material price increases or code upgrades
All labor is in-house, so donations go directly toward material, safety, and setup costs.
đź’µ Why $12,500?
This goal reflects our full renovation needs from start to finish—including a contingency buffer for surprises that often arise when restoring older spaces. A detailed budget is available on request or on our project page.
🌾 Why It Matters
The Willow Lodge creates:
- A nature-based lodging option in an underserved rural area
- Income diversification for a local family-run venture
- Seasonal tourism that supports bait shops, cafes, and outfitters
- A place where stories aren’t just told—they’re lived
Whether you contribute $5 or $500, you’re helping build something rooted and real. You’re helping us offer guests a chance to step into the woods—and step back into themselves.
I’ve just launched a GoFundMe to help bring this vision to life, and every share or gift moves us closer to opening the doors.
Take a peek at the project, and thank you for supporting hospitality with heart:
🧡 Gratitude & Gifts
All donors will receive a personal thank-you note and be acknowledged on a community gratitude page once the lodge launches. Donors of $100+ will receive a curated gift from The Willow Lodge (think: forest-scented candle, poetry card, and digital nature print, something unique).
With love and hope,
Michelle Allen Founder, Whispering Willow Host, The Willow Lodge
📖 echoesofthewillow.com 📞 231-854-0707 📧 allenmic6482@yahoo.com
Our Vision — Before and After
It’s not just a renovation. It’s a reclamation. Of purpose. Of peace. Of possibility.
Welcome to the first glimpse of what will become The Willow Lodge—a place to breathe again. 🌿
This isn’t just a renovation—it’s a reflection of healing, hospitality, and second chances.
Welcome to The Willow Lodge—where stories are honored, peace is invited, and guests are reminded that beauty can rise from the quiet. 🌿
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