LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Canadian couple canceled their wedding and used that money to sponsor a Syrian refugee family.
Samantha Jackson and Farzin Yousefian originally planned a traditional wedding for March 2016, complete with a gorgeous venue, caterer and other vendors. It would have cost them tens of thousands of dollars.
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But instead, the couple chose to cancel those plans after realizing the money could be used for a cause close to their hearts.
They are now using the money to sponsor a Syrian family of four who will all be relocated to Canada.
Jackson and Yousefian got married last month in a small wedding at city hall. They had a causal dinner with friends and a small reception at a bar in Toronto.
Rather than gifts, their guests made donations to help fund the sponsorship of the Syrian family. So far, they have raised $17,500. The couple hopes to raise $27,000, which is the amount needed to sponsor the entire family.