The BOLI community took swift action to support and uplift one of their own.
Image courtesy of Amanda and Nick’s GoFundMe
On Sunday April 24th, BOLI Amanda Cappiello and her fiancé Nick Ladalia experienced the unthinkable – a devastating fire tore through the home they shared together. Thankfully the two were unharmed, but they lost everything they owned except for the clothes on their backs.
To make a heartbreaking situation even worse, Amanda and Nick’s wedding day was less than a week away – Friday, April 29th. Their home, their possessions, and all of their wedding items except Amanda’s dress, flowers, and seating chart were now gone.
By Tuesday April 26th, word had spread to the BOLI Facebook group about Amanda and Nick’s catastrophic loss. And as the BOLI community has always done when one of their own needs help, they rallied quickly.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Cappiello
What started as thousands in monetary donations to the couple’s GoFundMe soon blossomed into a fully mobilized group effort. BOLI members began offering their own wedding decor, donating clothing items for Amanda and Nick’s impending honeymoon, and purchasing registry items to help them rebuild.
At the forefront of this group effort was BOLI founder Heather Cunningham, who collected donations on her doorstep. Heather also purchased Amanda’s bridal party outfits and gifts, and even a bottle of the groom’s favorite cologne.
BOLI brides weren’t the only ones to step in and help – several incredible vendors also sprang into action. Bridal Rush (a BOLI preferred vendor) has offered the bride complementary hair and makeup for their rehearsal dinner, Esquire Tuxedos (a BOLI preferred vendor) will provide Nick with a rehearsal dinner suit, and Island and Ivory will supply gift boxes for Amanda’s bridesmaids.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Cappiello
“When you hear of someone losing all their possessions in a house fire, ‘how can we save her wedding’ is typically not the first thing that comes to mind,” said BOLI founder Heather Cunningham. “However, I knew it was where I could help. To bring her day back to what it was envisioned to be was my goal – take out the reminders of what they lost, so they could focus on what they were gaining together that day. Even if it meant replacing something so small, like her fiancé’s cologne.”
As is so often the case, Heather is astounded at the outpouring of love from the BOLI family – both brides and wedding professionals alike. “Having a community with almost 18,000 strong that jumps the second help is needed is what keeps me going,” she said. “Vendors that bend over backwards for brides that aren’t even their clients, to donate their time and services, is what makes the Long Island wedding industry like no other.”
Image courtesy of Amanda and Nick’s GoFundMe
BOLI’s support has been nothing short of mind blowing for Amanda. “I’m shocked at how much love everyone is giving us,” she stated. “I’m literally crying over the generosity! I can’t explain how thankful we are for everyone who’s even thought about us the last few days. We really are so blessed for this community.”
If you would like to donate to Amanda and Nick’s GoFundMe campaign, please click here.
