The Roles immediately made the decision to ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Christmas in the City, “a charity near and dear to Garrett’s heart.”ĭozens of donations were made in Garrett’s memory, raising nearly $7,000 that will help ensure that Christmas in the City will continue its mission to bring comfort and joy to those in need – especially around the holidays. Last January, the unthinkable happened, and Garrett Role died suddenly at the age of 30, leaving behind his devastated family and friends.
Folks would remember him from year to year – ‘hey, it’s the tall guy with the man bun who puts kids on his shoulders and races into Winter Wonderland.’” (That’s Garrett and his sister Amanda rocking their buns at the party.) Each year, he couldn’t wait to dive in and be part of it all.
He had such boyish enthusiasm and loved to have fun. No one was a bigger fan of the Christmas in the City party than son Garrett.Īccording to his mom, “Garrett was like a kid himself, so he really related to the children at the party. Thus began a family tradition that was observed even in the 2020 covid year, when the Roles bought gifts and stuffed backpacks for “their” shelter. Her family – husband Chuck and her children Garrett and Amanda – jumped with her, and each year since, the Role family has volunteered to help out with the party. A decade ago, when long-time Christmas in the City volunteer – and shelter captain – Marty Kaufman invited Donna Role to join his crew at the annual CITC holiday party, she jumped at the chance.