Fundraiser And Vigil Set For 2 NJ Children Who Died In Passaic River

NORTH JERSEY — A fundraiser has been set up for the families of two Bergen County children who died in the Passaic River last week.

The children, a 10-year-old girl and 10-year-old boy from Garfield, were playing on a boat dock in a public park on Wednesday when they ended up in the water, officials said. The boy's 11-year-old sister was also there but was able to get to the shore.

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The body of the boy, Michael Klenk, 10, was found Wednesday night.

The body of the missing 10-year-old girl, Milian "Millie" Dula, was recovered from the Passaic River on Friday night.

All three children lived in Garfield and were students at Public School No. 6, Garfield Mayor Everett Garnto said.

The fundraiser says, "The families of Mikey and Millie are now facing unimaginable grief and hardship."

The effort had raised $23,000 by Sunday morning. It can be found here.

Red And Pink Roses

A "Gathering of Roses" to remember the children's lives was planned for Market Street at the Passaic River on Sunday at 3 p.m., Passaic Mayor Hector Lora announced. Mourners are encouraged to bring a pink or blue rose to show support.

The petals will be cast into the water to show the community's love.

Lora posted on social media just before midnight on Friday, "Tonight, a rainbow stretched across the sky over the place where this little girl was recovered from the river and brought onto land. In a day filled with heartbreak, it was a sight that many of us will never forget. So many of us prayed for her to be found today ... Please continue to keep both families in your prayers."

He had said that the children were not at the park to swim, and that they did not go into the water intentionally. He also said that the 11-year-old girl who was rescued told responders that her brother had pushed her toward the shore as he sank.

Floodwaters raged around Passaic County last week after heavy storms dumped five inches of rain on the area from Monday through Tuesday.