When a California bride faced the sudden cancellation of her wedding, she not only had to deal with the emotional impact, but also the problem of what to do with her already-paid-for $15-thousand reception. Instead of letting the event go to waste, she chose to donate it to a local nonprofit, Parents Helping Parents (PHP), a San Jose-based organization that offers support to families with children who have disabilities, and had previously helped the bride’s family.
PHP executive director Maria Daane was surprised and grateful for the generous donation, noting that it’s not every day that someone offers such a significant gift to a nonprofit organization. They quickly spread the word about the donated party for their clients and soon had 100 confirmed guests for the event. Held at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club in Gilroy, the celebration included dinner, dessert, a DJ, a photo booth, and even a fireworks display, transforming what was going to be a wedding reception into a joyous community event.
The party provided a unique and memorable experience for the attendees, particularly for families and children with disabilities who rarely get such opportunities. Attendee Liz Schwartz commented on what a treat it was for her daughter, Paige, to attend the event, saying, "It's wonderful to be included and have this celebration of who our community is.”