The legacy of love
Ben Lowenstein and his fiancé, Justine Palefsky, are both young professionals in their mid-30s. They have already begun their lives together, and do not need any of the traditional place settings, small appliances, and towels that make up many wedding registries. So, for their upcoming nuptials, they are asking guests to make contributions in their name to organizations that mean something to them, including The Chicago Lighthouse.
“I grew up in Chicago and have known The Lighthouse for over 20 years,” says Ben, whose mother has low vision and receives services through The Lighthouse. “We see this as an opportunity to bring awareness to organizations that are important to both of us.”
(The other organization on the couple’s list is Project Avary, a San Francisco-based non-profit that offers summer camps and other programs for at-risk youth. Justine’s family has been involved with Project Avary since she was a little girl.)
The decision to ask guests to contribute to The Lighthouse and Project Avary is a way to make the celebration of their life together even more impactful for them and their guests. “We want something as personal as a wedding to be a reflection of our values,” Ben says. “The Chicago Lighthouse is a huge part of my community—and now our communities together —and to celebrate that is a reflection of who we are.”
For Kate Knez, supporting The Chicago Lighthouse is about giving back to an organization she considers home. Kate is a volunteer reader for CRIS Radio, which provides news, entertainment, and vital information to people who are blind, visually impaired, or have difficulty reading printed material.
Over more than 40 years, Kate has gotten to know the organization, its clients, and the impact it makes every day. “The more I learned about The Chicago Lighthouse and the people it serves, the more I fell in love with the mission,” she says.
Recently, Kate has become more than a volunteer and advocate for The Lighthouse community. She was recently diagnosed with glaucoma and macular degeneration, and, thanks to her knowledge of The Lighthouse, she knows resources, technology, and other services are available should she need them.
That personal and longtime connection to The Lighthouse led Kate to do the same as Ben and Justine. When planning her wedding with her husband, Rick, Kate suggested having guests make gifts to The Lighthouse.
“The Lighthouse has become such an important part of my life,’ she says. “Many of us, including my guests, will inevitably be affected by vision loss. Why not open up your eyes by opening up your heart?”
