Like so many couples in 2020, Emily and Billy were planning a big ceremony for their upcoming wedding. But the world fell apart this year and coronavirus restrictions made large gatherings impossible. They opted to have a simple ceremony at Chicago’s city hall canceling all of the plans they had already put into place.
They could have asked for their deposits back, but they decided to use the money for a different purpose.
Emily is an outreach worker for an organization called Thresholds, which provides services and resources for people with severe mental illness and substance use disorders. On Thanksgiving each year, they hold a communal dinner for their clients, that was also canceled for 2020.
That’s how two canceled events collided in the best possible way. Emily and Billy, working with their wedding caterer, Big Delicious Planet, turned their $5000 deposit into 200 boxed meals that were delivered to their clients with the usual Thanksgiving staples of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and green beans. This generous act allowed their clients to continue to enjoy the holiday even if the communal meal had to be canceled.
As for their venue deposit? They are working with Salvage One to repurpose the deposit for a future event for the Epilepsy Foundation.
This is a great example of what My Lemons My Lemonade is about, and I tip a glass in their honor.
My Lemons My Lemonade 