Goal 2 - Zero Hunger

The Pay-It-Forward Wedding: When ‘I Do’ Becomes ‘I Do More’

“The more we looked at the numbers, the more we knew we wanted to give the money to charity rather than using it for ourselves.”

There were no flower arrangements, hors d’oeuvres passed, bar or bartender. A metal coat rack in the corner held the 50 guests’ coats, and an elongated table showcased sparkling water and lemonade, buckets of ice and clear plastic cups.

Room 310 at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in Manhattan was the perfect site for Cade Russo-Young and Max Kristula-Green’s wedding on Dec. 17.

“I’ve been coming to the center my whole life,” Ms. Russo-Young, 36, said. “It’s the most historical place I know. My moms went to meetings in the basement here. I participated in their Youth Enrichment Services, and volunteered for Center Kids. To be able to enter this next chapter in my life in this room, and to know I’m giving back and acknowledging the center by having our ceremony here is huge. It goes along with the whole ethos of our wedding.”

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