Many people in the Jersey Shore area were affected by Hurricane Sandy. People lost their homes, businesses, and even their lives in the super storm. Everyone who was impacted by the storm was set back in some way. Many couples, like Becky Grodzki and Matthew Budreck, had their wedding plans derailed due to the storms financial and physical impact. The couple from Brick was able to win a contest that would make their dream wedding a reality again.
Becky and Matthew’s home in Brick had succumbed to damage from the storm. Their home needs many repairs, and they even had to shell out $3,000 from their wedding fund to have a tree removed from their yard that was uprooted. While helping a neighbor remove items from their home, Becky lost a diamond from her engagement ring. When it seemed things could not get any worse, the couple was informed that their wedding venue was also greatly damaged by Sandy and would not be ready for their wedding date.
Thanks to a contest by the Jersey Shore Wedding Association, the couple from Brick was able to have their
dream wedding come true. Comprised of more than 50 local businesses, the JSWA wanted to try and help out soon to be newlyweds who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. They held a contest where you could tell your story in 500 words or less with pictures and references, and the winner would receive a wedding package. After sending in their story, Becky and Matthew would receive the most votes and won.
The couple received $13,000 in wedding goods that they will use to create their dream wedding. They rescheduled their wedding at a new venue and now have more than enough money to create the wedding they dreamed about. The Jersey Shore Wedding Association also gave away prizes of $1,000 worth of wedding vendor goods to several couples who did not with the grand prize.
Many people in the Jersey Shore area are focusing on rebuilding their homes and getting life back to normal. For the couples that the JSWA helped, it was a bright moment in a dark time. Those couples can still get on with their life and enjoy marriage, even though Sandy set them back.