First Responders Wedding hit by Hurricane IAN

Many grow up dreaming to meet their future spouse, and then imagine a picture-perfect wedding once they do! Sam & Billy were no different when they met, fell in love, and of course dreamt about and planned their perfect wedding, set on the beaches of Sarasota, for September 30th, 2022. Unfortunately, the week of their wedding, Sam and Billy watched, along with the rest of the world, as hurricane Ian gained strength and moved their way. The wedding venue insisted their wedding would take place and the couple remained hopeful! Unfortunately, the storm continued to worsen, the Governor declared a “State of Emergency”, and Billy was activated and had to report to duty to serve our community. Due to Hurricane Ian, Sam and Billy’s wedding didn't happen! Both Sam and Billy are first responders - Samantha, a nurse, and Billy, a law enforcement officer. They were planning on being on vacation starting Tuesday, September 27th, and enjoying their excitement about their upcoming nuptials, but when duty calls, one must serve. Samantha, being a nurse, stayed close to the hospital in case she was called in. Sam and Billy funded the $40,000 plus wedding on their own, utilizing money from savings earned by extra shifts and off-duty jobs. Unfortunately, being so close to the wedding when the storm hit, they were unable to recoup the full cost of their wedding expenses. Food had been delivered, flowers were done, every detail was prepared, and hard cost was a factor.

We are starting a Go Fund Me to give them the option to have a wedding as they originally planned. Although the papers were signed in the backyard of a family member's house with trees down and no power, it wasn’t their dream plan. Our hope is that the community will come together to give to such a deserving couple, a couple that selflessly gives so much to us.