Jilited Bride Turns Wedding Reception Into Party for Homeless Kids in Seattle
— -- A jilted bride recently turned her heartbreak into shared joy by turning her wedding reception into a fancy dinner party for homeless kids and their families in Seattle.
After 29-year-old Dana Olsen's then-fiance got cold feet, she connected with Mary's Place, a shelter that houses homeless women and families with children, she told ABC News today.
Olsen invited nearly 100 kids and their families to a night of fine dining and dancing this past Saturday evening at SoDo Park, a popular event venue in downtown Seattle where Olsen had arranged to have her wedding reception, according to Marty Hartman, the executive director for Mary's Place.
"It’s so wonderful that Dana would take a moment like this, that could have been very sad, and turn it into something that gave so much joy," Hartman told ABC News today. "We are so grateful to her, and her wonderful mom Karen, for sharing this party with the homeless women, children and families of Mary’s Place and giving them a night to remember."
The party included in a sit-down catered dinner, a band and "an open bar serving soda, water and other fun kid drinks," according to Linda Mitchell, who leads marketing and communications for Mary's Place.
Mitchell told ABC News today that Lauren Grinnell, a hair stylist and supporter of the shelter, also "had a group of stylists and makeup artists come in to do makeup and hair for the women and moms," Mitchell said. Donated dresses, suits and jewelry were also provided for the families.
The night was filled with "eating, dancing and kids running around having so much fun," Mitchell said.
Olsen was not able to attend the party, but she was happy to see kids having fun in photos sent to her by her family and her maid-of-honor, who attended the event on her behalf, Mitchell said.
