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Garfield Volunteer Doubles Charity Event's Size

GARFIELD, N.J — An upcoming fundraiser represents a labor of love for Garfield volunteer Jessica Hunter.

Volunteers help out at the 2014 Roses of Love event in Garfield.

Volunteers help out at the 2014 Roses of Love event in Garfield.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jessica Hunter

Hunter created the Roses of Love project in 2014. This year's edition takes place Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Garfield Boys and Girls Club.

The 12 to 5 p.m. event features a variety of gifts that people can take for free. Items include clothes, shoes, blankets and toys.

Last year the event helped 30 families and Hunter said she expects to double that number Sunday.

"We had people who thanked us all year," she told Daily Voice. "This year is very different in that a lot of families that got donations last year have themselves donated this year. So now it becomes like a cycle."

Hunter works in security at a Passaic charter school. Seeing all of the families there led her to want to help as many people as possible, she said.

Tables of clothes and toys will be available, but other items can be won through a raffle. They include New York Giants memorabilia and a selfie stick. Raffled gifts from last year included an iPhone, a New York Jets autographed poster and a hockey puck from the New Jersey Devils.

More than 35 people will volunteer to help Hunter with the program, including her friend Alejandrina Banch of the Boys and Girls Club. Banch helped Hunter create the event.

The event is aimed at the underprivileged but Hunter said anyone is welcome.

"We don't turn down anyone," she said. "You pay nothing, you come get some stuff. You might walk out with a great gift for your child."

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