Monday, February 20, 2012
'50 Weddings' Campaign Helps Fight Human Trafficking
Two photographers are on a mission to shoot 50 weddings in 50 different states within 50 weeks. It's an effort to fund an anti-human trafficking organization.
“We wanted to continue traveling and see our own country, at the same time do what we love, do our jobs, and raise money for this organization that we've been working with for the past couple of years,” said photographer Michelle Hoffner.
Husband and wife team, Jonny and Michelle Hoffner, hope to criss-cross the country and raise money for She Dances, an anti-human trafficking organization with a safe house in Honduras. At each wedding, newlyweds will give the photographs $1,000 for the cause.
“So the ultimate goal is to raise $50,000 for them,” said photographer Jonny Hoffner. “And the money comes from the couple, not from us. It comes out of our package but from them. We wanted it to be like that so they feel a direct connection with the organization.”
The Fifty-Nifty campaign brought Jonny and Michelle to Chattanooga this weekend.
“We found out what they were doing. And it sounded like a great cause,” said Groom Zein Baluch.
After hearing about the fund raising effort, a Covenant College couple decided they wanted Fifty-Nifty at their Saturday wedding.
“Everyone says it's your day. It's your wedding day or whatever, but what a better thing to be able to give back on my big day,” said Bride Hannah Murphy.
The Chattanooga wedding is only number three on the list. The Midwest couple also captured wedding day vows in Georgia and Florida. Now they have 47 more weddings to go.
Jonny and Michelle say they haven't used any form of paid advertising to find couples willing to help with their mission. Their campaign is spreading from word of mouth and media buzz.
For more information visit www.thefiftynifty.com