A Covid-Delayed Wedding Brought an Opportunity to Highlight Their Values | Article

Susanna Kittredge and Brendan O’Brine had planned to have a wonderful wedding and reception with friends and family in the Boston area in April 2020. Like so many plans for April 2020, that was not to be. Instead, they got legally married then and waited to celebrate with friends and family until a safer time, public health-wise. That time finally came two years later, when friends and family gathered to celebrate Susanna and Brendan’s renewal of vows and toast to their love.

By the time it was feasible for them to have a big celebration, they felt like they already had everything they needed for their life as a recently married couple. So instead of a traditional registry, the couple asked for donations to two charities that reflected their values.

EESI recently interviewed Susanna, a donor to EESI for several years, about her and Brendan’s story.

EESI: You have been giving to EESI for a while. What prompted your giving? How does it reflect your personal values and goals?

Susanna: To me, climate change is the most pressing issue of our time. Ignoring it could lead to dire consequences for the entire planet. We give to a number of environmental organizations. But I personally feel that, since corporations are the biggest polluters, regulation is the best tool we have to fight climate change. EESI is working with Congress to get new regulations and policies passed.

Susanna Kittredge and Brendan O’Brine. Photo credit: Rebecca Belleau, Captured

EESI: What other ways do you live out your values?

Susanna: We recycle and use reusable shopping bags and all the regular stuff. But one of the biggest moves we've made lately to combat climate change is buying an electric car. I was concerned at first that the charging infrastructure wasn't there for it to be a viable option, but Brendan convinced me to take the plunge and it's worked out really well for us.

EESI: I understand that your recent wedding celebration that included a ‘donation registry’ was in fact a celebration of your April 2020 wedding which had few guests since it was at the beginning of the pandemic. Did you originally plan to ask for charitable donations rather than a traditional registry, or did your preferences change due to the pandemic and the two-year delay you had to endure to celebrate with friends and family?

Susanna: We originally had a traditional registry, and some people bought us items off the registry in the run-up to our little backyard pandemic wedding. By the time Wedding Part II rolled around, we really had everything we needed and decided charitable donations would make more sense.

EESI: How did you choose which charities to give to and ask for donations for on the occasion of your wedding celebration?

Susanna: We each chose a charity. Brendan chose Boston's Catholic Charities chapter. Brendan's mother teaches at their after-school program. We both admire their commitment to direct charitable service as a social justice strategy.

EESI is my top choice environmental organization because of its focus on policy change.

EESI: What advice do you have to others who may feel daunted by the scale of climate change and their ability to make a difference?

Susanna: It's not too late to turn things around! Donate, protest, canvas, write to your Congresspeople in support of bills that combat climate change!

EESI: What advice do you have to others who are planning celebrations and perhaps feeling pressure to register for lots of ‘things’?

Susanna: I won’t lie; "things" can be nice. But if you do have a registry, make sure that you are registering for things you will actually use (and actually have room for!).

Another option is to register for a few items you really want and also have a donation registry so guests can honor you as they see fit.

Author: Susan Williams