Port Washington couple's dream wedding a social media gift of love

The last thing Elena Volkova was looking for when she and her fiance were walking the aisles of a grocery store near their Port Washington home was another life-altering moment.

She'll never forget the time and date of the first one: 5 p.m. on March 18, 2022. On that day, Volkova listened on the phone as her doctor told her she had Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

"I went numb," Volkova, 42, who was then pregnant and about to turn 38, told Newsday.

A terminal disease was threatening her life, which went on regardless. Between cancer treatments, Volkova was like any other Long Island mom with growing boys, hauling her two sons to travel games, school functions, friends' houses.

By the time she and her fiance, Peter Napolitano, entered the North Shore Farms on the morning of Oct. 18, four years of medical bills had piled up. Between the two of them, after rent and other bills, the couple could only imagine getting married in a ceremony amid family and friends.

Two weeks later, with their all-expenses-paid wedding set for Sunday high atop Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, they'll give a special thanks to Keegan Gordon and the chance encounter that made it all happen.

Gordon, a 26-year-old South African, was in the Port Washington Boulevard store to film an installment of his "R5000 or 5 Minutes to Fill Trolley?" social media series, in which he offers strangers a choice of money or a full shopping cart. Video Gordon posted on Instagram shows him approaching Volkova and Napolitano as they peruse a refrigerated shelf of premade salads, showing them a wad of cash.

"Hello," Gordon says to the couple as they look up, appearing momentarily startled. "Five hundred dollars? Or five minutes to fill your shopping cart?"

"Five hundred!" Napolitano answers, his eyes lighting up.

"Five hundred dollars for you, bro," Gordon says, before handing him the money and asking why he chose it.

Staring at the currency as he gripped it in his left hand, Napolitano, a graphic designer, says he recently lost his job and the cash will help pay the overdue rent.

"But, she's got an illness," he continues, motioning toward Volkova. "She's not doing great, and I want to marry her. Either rent, or towards the wedding, I guess."

Volkova then tells Gordon she has cancer, and "it has come with a lot of bumps in the road that we've gone through."

Both show their rings symbolizing they are "fake-married" before Gordon turns to the camera and appeals to his followers.

"If you can help in any way put a wedding together in the next two weeks for this amazing couple ... let's make it happen," Gordon says to the camera.

Since the video published to social media on Oct. 19, Volkova and Napolitano said, the response has been overwhelming. And an online fundraiser set up for the couple by Gordon caught the attention of some well-heeled benefactors.

Wish Upon a Wedding, a nonprofit that funds weddings for people with terminal illnesses, got wind of Gordon's efforts. It is paying for the nuptials, which are set to take place Sunday at 620 Loft & Garden, a rooftop venue at Rockefeller Center overlooking Fifth Avenue. Luxury jewelry company Uneek Jewelry replicated Volkova’s original engagement ring from Napolitano, replacing its moissanite, or lab-created diamond, with a real one.

David’s Bridal also gifted Volkova a wedding dress.

The online fundraiser had received more than $15,000 as of Thursday. The money will go toward medical expenses and an education fund for the two sons.

Gordon, known online as BigManKG, told Newsday he considers himself a "kindness content creator" focused on spreading positivity and goodwill. Curiosity about Long Island led him onto a Long Island Rail Road train heading east before he got off in Port Washington.

"Many people think being mean to people or nonchalant is the way. I like to think trying super hard is super cool. Showing people you love them is super cool," Gordon said. "Kindness is cool."

Volkova and Napolitano said they are still wrapping their heads around everything that has happened in two weeks, all thanks to the compassion of strangers.

"They have been the loveliest, most caring people, along with Keegan," Volkova said of Wish Upon a Wedding, Gordon and all those helping. "It brought out the best in humanity."