(photo courtesy The Knot)
from Elizabeth
October isn’t just about spooky goblins and zombies, pumpkin pies and apple cider—it’s also a month where we try to raise awareness for breast cancer: PINKtober. Surprisingly, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. (more than skin cancer). With education and awareness, millions of women are surviving this disease thanks, in part, to early detection and advancements in treatment.
With great causes and charities looking for support, we’ve noticed over the years with weddings that some of our couples make a donation in lieu of favors or gifts. Brides choose a charity or causes that are near and dear to their hearts s a way to help make a difference. We’ve seen a range of charities, from healthcare to education, from animals to military. Whichever charity you might choose, just make sure it speaks to you.
For me, it would be very difficult to choose one because there are so many wonderful charities supporting great causes. The American Breast Cancer Foundation would definitely be one of my top-five charities. Right now, I would choose the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C., which helps families stay close to their hospitalized children through local chapters.
These are some of the charities other Stevenson Ridge staff members would donate to:
Jennifer would donate to Micah Ecumenical Ministries, which is a community that supports people experiencing chronic homelessness and identifies pathways for them to sustainable housing.
Bettina would donate to the local food bank with the emphasis on children. Many children in our area rely on school breakfast and lunch programs as their only meals. The food bank is working with schools and youth programs to help put an end to child hunger in our community.
Erin would donate to Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia, which promotes awareness about epilepsy and advocates on behalf of—and provides assistance to—Virginians with the disorder.
Chris would donate to battlefield preservation groups like the Civil War Trust and the Central Virginia Battlefield Trust, who protect our history so that we can learn from it.