Married to a Cause

A wedding is a perfect opportunity to give back

When Liz got married last year, she and her husband (Joe Kirkendall) took an innovative approach to their wedding registry. They requested that their guests give a donation to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation in lieu of a gift. The result was $6,670 raised for a worthy cause! The couple has recently been interviewed by the foundation and will be featured in their annual report.

We caught up with this socially conscious PR manager at her Chicago office to congratulate her and to discuss her potentially trend-setting wedding.

Q. Can you tell us a little about the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and why it’s important to you?

We both grew up in Warsaw, Indiana (the county seat) and a majority of our family still resides there. We visit regularly and actively support community development. When we started looking for a charitable cause that was near and dear to us, the KCC Foundation really was the best fit, as it would directly impact the community that supported us and hosted our wedding. The Foundation allowed us to designate to funds of interest so we were able to have the gifts directed to the Megan Easterday Scholarship, in memory of a high school classmate and friend that passed away, or givers could opt for their gift to be designated to the Community Fund which supported things like the Community Bike Path Project and the Optimist Club Child ID program.

Q. Usually a donation in lieu of gift is the choice of the giver, not the recipient. What gave you the idea of turning your wedding registry into a charitable endeavor?

We were a bit uncomfortable with registering. Our place is small and we both have very generous families that have helped us with life’s necessities as we’ve entered adulthood. It was hard to gauge what we needed and the thought of putting gifts in storage, for use at a later date, just seemed wasteful. After kicking around the idea of not registering at all, friends and family explained that they wanted to give a gift and if we didn’t start requesting things, they would start sending porcelain figurines and teddy bear oven mitts. That got us moving.

Q. What reactions have you gotten? Do people think you’re crazy for passing up on the free gifts?

It was a little out of left field, but the Mister and I frequent left field.

Our families caught on quickly. Both sides have deep roots in Warsaw so it’s not unusual to have a member of the Owens family or a member of the Kirkendall family active in a community program; it just seemed natural. Our friends were supportive as well. It took a little more explaining than the standard registry wish list, but once they realized what we had set up, they were onboard.

Q. Have other couples been inspired to follow your example?

I am not sure if our story has directly inspired anyone. Shortly after our wedding, a bride from a neighboring town set up a scholarship in memory of her father who could not walk her down the aisle; it was the same idea, although I am not sure we can take credit for inspiring her.

Nationally, I have read about other couples doing something similar with more national causes. I am all for giving, any way you decide to go, but I really enjoyed working with a local resource like the KCC Foundation. It takes a little more explanation when you have friends and family outside of the community, but the potential impact is so great. For example, when family and friends saw the 2009 Megan Easterday Scholarship recipient named last spring, they got a first-hand glimpse of the person and cause their gift supported. It makes you feel good.

Q. A growing part of PR is the issue of corporate responsibility. Do you think individuals, not just big businesses, need to be more focused on how their lives affect those around them?

Absolutely.

As a PR practitioner, you are trained to understand that your name and actions can be attached to more than just your personal interests. But, the same is true for any professional; everyone is an ambassador for their company and their causes. It is my personal belief that involving yourself in something positive helps you through the rigors of life. Being dedicated to a cause keeps life in perspective and creates opportunities that outlast your existence.

That may be a little deep, but that was a deep question.

Q. You did get some gifts, right? Anything good? Any regifts?

Yes, we did register for a couple more traditional items, in addition to our KCC Foundation option.

We have two great families and a really outstanding supporting cast. Apparently a select group of people were really tired of watching movies and playing games on our old-school television so they pooled together to get us up to the 21st century. Hello, HD flat screen! A set of siblings pooled together to get a Roomba. That was pretty sweet gift, considering our lovely Miss Molly (the dog) is a shedding machine.

As for regifts, if we got any, they were from talented regifters because we didn’t notice. No $47.95 gift cards yet.

Elizabeth Owens is the manager of public relations at Bernard Hodes Group and works with accounts team across the county developing HRPR strategies for their clients. Liz implements plans for clients in a variety of industries and focuses on developing key media contacts, targeted ‘employer of choice’ messages and superior customer service.

Although she began working with HRPR in January 2007, Liz is no stranger to Hodes. She started in account service for the Chicago branch in August 2005. Responsibilities in this role included day-to-day contact with clients and vendors, media planning and implementation, and consultation on improving overall recruiting and retention practices. Clients included Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Siemens Building Technologies, First Bank, Rehabilitation Institution of Chicago and OptionCare.

Liz received her bachelor’s degree in Advertising from Ball State University in 2003 and completed coursework for Ball State’s public relations master’s program in 2005. While attending Ball State, Liz worked for the university’s Museum of Art and Minnetrista Cultural Center. In both capacities she served as the primary writer and designer for internal and external communications, along with providing event support through public relations and photography assistance.

Learn how others like Elyse Acanda give back in their communities as well.