Canadian Couple Cancel Wedding And Donate Money To Help Syrian Refugees.
Newlyweds Samantha Jackson and Farzin Yousef from Toronto decided to give the money they would have spent on their wedding to charity in an effort to help Syria's refugees.
The couple says they were moved by the now infamous photo of three-year-old Alyan Kurdu, the little boy who was photographed dead on a beach in Turkey in September.
"We were in the midst of wedding planning in September when that devastating photo of three-year-old found on a beach came out,” Farzin told ABC News.
"Like so many other people, we became acutely aware of how bad the situation was getting and how important it was to act and do something positive, so we cancelled the wedding and redirected the funds."
Although they had already booked the venue and hired a caterer for their 130-guest nuptials, they decided to cancel the whole thing and hold an intimate reception at Toronto’s City Hall instead.
"We realized how all the money we would've put to our wedding would be better used helping give Syrian refugee families the second chance they deserve," the bride explained, adding, "Our family and friends were absolutely thrilled and supportive… and rather than giving the traditional gift, they made donations to help fund our sponsorship of a Syrian refugee family."
The couple has raised $17,500 so far toward the goal of $27,000, which is the amount needed to cover the essential costs of resettling a Syrian family of four in the city.
"Our wedding was perfect…and it was definitely the perfect way to start our marriage," Samantha said.
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