FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A Southwest Florida couple is fighting to help what they call a "Forgotten" population - and they're doing it in a truly memorable way.
“So inspired by their stories, I said hey like this is an amazing cause and he was moved by it too, and we thought this would be a cool way to set a standard for our marriage, and be missional and give back,” said Stephanie Tinoco, Jump for Hope Participant, Haven of Hope International.
Future Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Kenny and Stephanie, will tie the knot at the end of the month, but on Saturday, October 19th, “we are skydiving one week before the [wedding] in Clewiston, and to be honest I am so scared, heights are not my friend, so this is definitely an act out of love, we just really want these kids to know we love them, see them and we really believe in them and we really hope that other people are inspired by our story too,” said Tinoco.
Celebrating their love by diving 14,000 feet at 120 miles per hour, all to raise awareness for Haven of Hope international
“Less than one percent of the 153 million orphans that are in orphanages ever get adopted,” said Jeff Basik, Board Member, Haven of Hope International.
“They really work to equip every orphanage they can with programs that are proven to work and help these kids,” said Tinoco.
Haven of hope helping more than 7,000 orphans in 28 different countries. Stephanie and Kenny want to make sure there is enough to go around.
“Asking folks who are going to their wedding to actual donate their normal gifts to contribute to the cause of the orphanage takes it to a whole other level as far as their generosity, but it doesn’t surprise me that’s the type of people they are,” said Basik.
Haven of Hope has a goal to raise $100,000 with the "Jump for Hope" skydiving event. Stephanie and Kenny hoping to raise $5,000 of that.
“it isn’t about us, we just wanted to use this platform to show people that we can use things like a honeymoon or wedding time to encourage other people to give, we want to inspire at least one other person to pay it forward, and for us it’s these kids," said Tinoco.
To contribute to Stephanie and Kenny's goal click here.
https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/stephaniekenny-smith/Jump-for-Hope
Right now 12 people are signed up to participate in Jump for Hope Skydiving Fundraiserwith spots still available.
