The physical strain of 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic is often quite clear as we can more or less count the number of reported cases and fatalities from the illness. However, we often overlook the toll this pandemic has taken on everyone emotionally. There have been thousands, if not millions, of canceled birthday parties, anniversaries, graduations, and weddings worldwide. Not to mention, many people have not been able to engage in simple social rituals like going out with their friends or attending a concert. We’ve all had to make sacrifices and adjustments during this time to ensure that more people don’t get sick.
One couple who felt the sting of sacrifice this year was Emily Bugg and Billy Lewis, a couple from Chicago who had to cancel their wedding due to the COVID crisis. The two first met on a dating app called Bumble in 2017, and after their wedding plans fell through, they decided just to get married at city hall. Initially, the couple had an extravagant reception along with a big party lined up once they’d concluded their nuptials. They even overbooked a venue to put on a disco party complete with DJ and photographer. The couple had also invited over 150 guests, but they were forced to change everything once the pandemic began.
An Illinois couple who canceled their original wedding plans amid the pandemic donated their catering deposit to help provide meals for those in need this Thanksgiving. https://t.co/j7khrLDFMv
— ABC News (@ABC) November 26, 2020
But, instead of allowing their $5,000 deposit to go to waste, Bugg and Lewis got in touch with a homeless shelter that focuses on helping people with substance abuse and mental health issues get clean and healthy while breaking free of poverty.
“Even while we were disappointed, we realized we still have so much. Canceling a wedding compared to what other people were going through wasn’t as big a deal,” Emily Bugg said. https://t.co/GKVAIoNRvr
— Chicago Sun-Times (@Suntimes) November 26, 2020
Thanks to their contribution, at least 200 people enjoyed a hot and delicious Thanksgiving meal.
After Couple’s Wedding Canceled by COVID, Pair Donates Catering Deposit for Thanksgiving Meals https://t.co/OEwbZqZVmp pic.twitter.com/APqRFFocUz
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) November 25, 2020
The couple would later comment on their good deed during a Good Morning America interview. Bugg said:
Lewis would later tell The Washington Post:
Mark Ishaug, Thresholds CEO, stated:
Emily and Billy’s amazing good deed is just another example of how folks have transformed setbacks caused by the pandemic into opportunities to serve others and make our world a better place.