Supporting Chef Helen in her healing journey!

Update!

To our incredible Bellingham community:

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your generosity, encouragement and love carried Chef Helen Lofton through one of the most difficult seasons of her life following her stroke. Because of your support, she was able make an impact on her medical bills

associated with her emergency room visit. Helen continues her recovery, the medical expenses from her stroke have continued to grow. She has also made the difficult decision to step away from Storia Cucina to focus fully on her health and the next chapter of her journey. Over the next month, she is taking a much-needed opportunity to spend time with family and friends—something she hasn’t been able to do in many years.

Helen has left a lasting mark on our community, mentoring, inspiring, and sharing her passion with countless people. Her kindness and dedication continue to shine.

Today, we’re humbly asking for your support once again as we work toward our original goal of $10,000 to help ease her medical costs and support her in her career transition. We know these are challenging financial times, and every gift—no matter the amount—or simply sharing this campaign means the world.

Thank you for continuing to lift Helen up with love.

Below you will find information on the previous campaign

3/1/2026

During the Christmas season, our beloved Chef Helen Lofton suffered a stroke—an unexpected moment that gently but firmly reminded us how precious health, rest, and community truly are.

Helen is more than the Head de Cuisine at one of Bellingham’s favorite restaurants, Storia Cucina. She is a classically trained chef with a remarkable palate, gifted hands, and a deep respect for the craft of cooking. Through her work, she has nourished this community again and again—creating meals that are thoughtful, soulful, and unforgettable. Her food tells stories. It brings people together. It makes us feel cared for.

Beyond the kitchen, Helen is known for her kindness, warmth, and generosity of spirit. She has inspired countless cooks, chefs, and creatives in our local food community—not only through her talent, but through the way she shows up for others with grace and heart. She leads with quiet strength, humility, and love.

This fundraising page exists so that Helen can do what she so often encourages others to do: slow down, listen to her body, and heal. Our hope is to help cover living and recovery-related expenses so she does not feel the pull or pressure to return to a stressful environment before she is truly ready. Healing takes time, and peace is a powerful part of that process.

This is our chance, as a community, to give back to someone who has given us so much. To remind Helen that she is deeply loved, fully supported, and profoundly appreciated. To surround her with the same care she has poured into her food and into all of us.

If you are able to contribute, please do so in whatever way feels right. And if you’re not, sharing this page or holding Helen in your thoughts is equally meaningful.

Let’s come together to lift up Chef Helen—to offer her rest, reassurance, and the joy of knowing she is not walking this path alone.

With gratitude, love, and community support,

we stand with you, Helen.