“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?'”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
It takes a village to raise a child, as the proverb goes. And sometimes, it takes a village to plan a wedding. This was true for the nuptials of Luisa and Tom, which were made possible thanks to numerous Vero Beach vendors who generously donated their time, talent, and resources. Their combined efforts ensured that the lovely couple had the wedding of their dreams, which was much deserved considering that Luisa, a sweet young woman, has terminal cancer and is currently on hospice with the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA).
Despite facing this challenge, Luisa wanted more than anything to marry the love of her life, Tom. Thanks to Project Wish, which grants wishes to VNA Hospice patients and is a VNA & Hospice Foundation-supported project, Luisa’s dream came true on a beautiful March afternoon. Two shifts of VNA volunteers helped with various aspects of the wedding, including setup, decoration, service, and clean-up, showcasing the incredible community support for Luisa and Tom.
The wedding was held at the Garden Club of Indian River County, which generously donated its venue. Elaine Koziel, a member of the club, secured the space. “The Garden Club of Indian River County is committed to giving back to the community and was eager to provide a beautiful venue for this special occasion,” she said.
Elaine learned about the wedding from her daughter, Amy Koziel, the owner of Glittering Gatherings event planning, who coordinated the wedding gratis and did a fantastic job. “The wish itself was inspiration alone for me (to participate),” said Amy. “It resonated with me deeply. I felt compelled to add a bit of sparkle to this memorable day. Being part of something so special filled my heart.”
By all accounts she did an incredible job. The VNA Director of Volunteer Programs and Hidden Treasures, Sara Bumgarner, said she could not have pulled off the event without Amy. “She took a few of the bride’s inspiration pictures and made the most beautiful, magical wedding. She donated all of the decorations, linens, etcetera,” said Sara. Amy also worked alongside her mother, Elaine, to create beautiful table arrangements.
Amy was introduced to the event through her friend, Tricia Crocco, a former VNA & Hospice Foundation employee and current volunteer. Tricia, renowned for her scrumptious cakes, was eager to lend her skills. “Project Wish has always resonated with me,” Tricia shared. “It’s so moving to be able to provide a patient and their family with something that will give them a memory that can last forever. I couldn’t even imagine what some of them are going through, so I guess anytime I can bring a smile to a patient’s face, it’s worth it. This wish in particular was just a moving story.”
Local florist, Always in Bloom, donated many beautiful items to help make the day extra special, including the bride’s bouquet; the groom’s and best man’s boutonnieres; the flower girl’s petals; and the maid of honor’s bouquet. The florist’s owner, Gary Snow, said he was happy to provide everything, having had a few personal experiences with VNA Hospice, including his brother-in-law who recently utilized it for his end-of-life care. “I’m from Orlando, but I’ve been here 32 years, and I think that the VNA Hospice is one of the best I’ve ever seen. And it doesn’t matter if you have fifty cents or $5,000,000; they treat everybody equally.”
The food was catered by Pepper & Salt BBQ free of charge, thanks to owner John Chianis, who has personal experience with hospice care through his grandfather. “The kindness and compassion I witnessed were unforgettable,” he said. “I owe them for how well they cared for my family during a very difficult time.”
Even the DJ, Bryan Vitta, of his eponymous Bryan Vitta Entertainment contributed to the wedding by offering a significant discount after hearing Luisa and Tom’s story. “I was moved and felt it was a humbling experience to help make this couple’s wish come true,” said Bryan.
Photographer Karina Kistler, a friend of the VNA Volunteer Coordinator, Jenna Manfredi, traveled from Orlando to donate her time and skills. “I love capturing the special moments of people’s lives,” she said. “It’s a joy to be part of such a meaningful day.”
VNA Chaplain Mac Burberry also played a significant role in the wedding, helping the couple attain their marriage license and serving as the ceremony officiant. “It was inspiring to witness how the community came together,” he said.
Annie McFadden, owner of M’s Sweets & Treats, donated an incredible dessert spread, filled with lots of delectable treats. “When I learned about the couple’s story, I felt compelled to contribute. It was a deeply moving experience to witness the love and support from our community,” she said.
If you’d like to learn more about Project Wish and the VNA & Hospice Foundation, visit vnatc.org.
*For privacy reasons, the couple asked to remain anonymous.,
