Divorced woman runs giveaway competition to send her wedding rings to couple who ‘faced adversities in 2020’

A woman who recently divorced is giving away her engagement and wedding rings to a couple who overcame adversity in 2020 “in the spirit of hope and starting this year off right”.

Christine Bonavita, from Norfolk, Virginia, shared her intentions on Facebook, where she explained that she is celebrating her one-year anniversary of being divorced and that it would give her “no greater happiness than to bestow both my former engagement ring and my wedding ring to a deserving couple”.

To qualify for the giveaway, Bonavita has asked that couples express how they have overcome or plan to overcome the challenges they faced together.

“In the spirit of hope and starting this year off right; it would truly give me no greater happiness than to bestow both my former engagement ring and my wedding ring to a deserving couple that has faced adversities in 2020 and can articulate to me how you have or you will overcome anything together,” the 39-year-old wrote. “I am gratefully celebrating being officially divorced for one year this month and after careful consideration throughout all of 2020, I have concluded that it would bring me the most joy to see others smile in receiving these wedding gifts!”

Bonavita also attached a photo of the diamond rings, which are both a size 9 and 14K white gold, as well as a “fine print” follow-up post in the comments, in which she shared additional descriptions of the rings and the prices.

According to Bonavita, she is accepting email submissions from couples, which must include full names, a recent photo taken within the last year, and 250 words about “how you have or will overcome 2020’s obstacles with hope, love, faith, laughter and/or badassery and marry the one you love,” until 12am on 1 February.

The winning couple, who will be announced on Valentine’s Day, 14 February, will also receive her ex-husband’s wedding band, according to Bonavita, who said he decided to include it after hearing about her plan.

Since opening the giveaway last week, she told The Virginian Pilot that she has received several dozen submissions, with some from as far away as England.

As for how she’ll know which couple to choose, she told the outlet “when that story comes in I’m going to read it and I’m going to know in my heart that it’s right”.

However, she did specify in her post that “preference goes to first responders, minorities, LGBTQ or those with disabilities”.

In the comments section on the post, people are praising Bonavita for the unique and generous gesture.

“That’s a beautiful gesture,” one person commented.

Another said: “That is so nice! Some loving couple really deserves this.”

As for why she decided to give away the rings, Bonavita told the newspaper that she’s always been fortunate enough to have had help in her life and she wanted to return the favour.

“Through all that I’ve always been fortunate enough to have people in my life help me,” she said. “I want to pay it forward. People can just use a little bit of kindness.”