A No-Brainer, Foolproof Valentine's Day Gift That Benefits the Heavy Rescue Squad

For the past five years, Pat Simms, a volunteer for Morris Township Heavy Rescue, has been running the group's Valentine Rose Sale Fundraiser. Each year she tweaks the process–and the products–to give guys an easy, reasonably-priced, one-stop Valentine shopping experience.

Simms says it's virtually foolproof.

Step One: pick out a bunch of roses. For $25 you can get one dozen long-stemmed red roses or two dozen of any other color.

Step Two: Don't have a Valentine card? No problem–they'll be for sale. Simms will probably even lend you a pen to fill it out.

Step Three: Not sure if your new girlfriend even owns a vase? Those will be on sale too. Buy one!

Step Four: Worried that flowers won't be enough? Pick up some candy too.

But the icing on the cake? Simms sets up shop in a firehouse so you don't even have to surrender your he-manliness at the door

Morris Township Heavy Rescue is part of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and has multiple members trained in skills that would be needed during a large scale emergency.  Some have first aid skills that would be valuable in a triage environment, others have skills that would allow them to assist the fire department. There are even ham radio operators who can step into an emergency situation where communications capabilities are needed.

The group is all-volunteer and needs funds for equipment. Previous proceeds have helped squad members to purchase the new high visibility yellow gear they needed.

So consider the gift that will make you look like a hero. Stop in at the Hillside Fire Station, located at 132 Western Ave. during the following hours:

• Saturday, Feb. 12:  10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 12:  10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Monday, Feb. 14: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Recent bad weather has forced Simms to cut her normal inventory. So, if you know you want the flowers, call and reserve them, but walk-ins are still welcome. Call Pat Simms at 973-538-1281, or 973-714-7481,  or e-mail Patriciasimms207@hotmail.com

The Hillside firehouse is located at 132 Western Avenue in Morris Township.