Jonah & Travis
Jonah & Travis
Charity Donations
In lieu of wedding gifts, we invite you to donate to one or more of these charities selected by Jonah and Travis that address causes close to their hearts.
Jonah's Charities
Lambda Legal. In some respects, the fact that you're attending our wedding is nothing less than a miracle. Until 2003, it was a crime in many states to be gay or lesbian. Same-sex couples couldn't get married anywhere in this country until 2004. And the federal government treated same-sex marriages as a nullity until 2013. It was only because of smart, tenacious lawyers that these things changed so quickly. That's why I've chosen Lambda Legal as one of my charities. It's an American civil rights organization that supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities as well as people living with HIV/AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Our rights as equal citizens are just one Supreme Court decision away from disappearing, so please consider donating to Lambda in recognition of this occasion.
Jewish National Fund. My family has always had a close connection with Israel. My dad's parents lost their entire families in the Holocaust and endured unspeakable horrors because of anti-Semitism. They understood that a Jewish state was necessary to ensure our safety in a world that can turn on us at any moment. My grandfather helped bring survivors to Israel after the war, and my father and uncle were both born there. My mom also spent a year in Israel after college. While I certainly won't defend everything the current Israeli government has done, it's shocking and saddening to see so many young (and uninformed) people clamoring for the world's only Jewish state to be wiped off the map. Jewish National Fund is a nonprofit that strives to ensure a strong, secure, and prosperous future for the land and people of Israel. Perhaps they're best known for planting trees, but they also build houses and parks, source water solutions, build medical centers, and much more. In connection with the Gaza war, JNF is providing temporary housing for displaced residents, fire and rescue equipment, and psychological support.
Travis's Charities
Chesapeake Bay Foundation. For native Marylanders and Baltimorons [sic], the Chesapeake Bay is part of our lifeblood. (Super) early morning crabbing trips to Kent Narrows with my dad, brother and uncle as a kid. Stories of Dad’s long weekends spent farming down in Chestertown with Mr. Jack and friends. Middle school field trips to learn about the Bay’s ecosystem and watershed. Senior week trips traversing the Bay Bridge, and running a 10K across that same bridge to conquer my fear of crossing it. Long college weekends at Salisbury hanging out with Joey at the Zoo. “Save the Bay” bumper stickers and “Treasure the Chesapeake” license plates. Whether you are a veteran fisher who has boated around the Bay many times, or a novice who is excited to discover all that Kent Island and other Bay spots have to offer, you can give to maintain this vital waterway (which, for the nerds in the house, is technically an estuary).
Donate to Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Animal Haven. A work volunteer outing allowed me to discover this incredible organization in the heart of Manhattan. This no-kill shelter is dedicated to providing TLC to the sweetest dogs and cats and helping them find the forever homes they deserve. While the staffers immediately chose me to stack large bags of dog food given my muscular stature ;), I snuck out a bit to take a sweet bulldog named Achilles on a walk with my work buddy Remo and to give a bath to a playful basset hound named Humphrey. Consider giving or, better yet, if you are an NYC local, adopting a faithful companion. The experience made me appreciate how blessed Jonah and I are to have our sweet baby boy Linus at home and how lucky we all are to have pets that love us unconditionally. Well, maybe Linus’s love is conditioned on a constant stream of food and treats, but he deserves it for being the good boy he is.