SCRANTON, Pa. — Hearts instead of flowers fill the planting beds at the Garden of Cedar in Scranton.
Frank Dubas is in charge of the community garden and started this project last year, filling the garden with more than 1,000 messages of love free by request.
Dubas says it went so well last year that he set a higher goal this year.
"The goal this year is 2,000 hearts. Right now, there are over 800 in the garden, but they keep coming in minute by minute," Dubas said.
Dubas says he has help to plant 2,000 hearts in the garden.
"I have volunteers from Eynon to Minooka. We have about ten scribes who are working on the hearts. I plant them. I'm not good at scriptwriting."
Most of the hearts express love from one person to another for Valentine's Day, but this project isn't only for couples.
"Some of the most touching are those that are dedicated to friends, relatives, family members who may have passed away and there's expressions on there that are really heartfelt."
There are also a few hearts for Scranton Police Det. Kyle Gilmartin, who continues to recover after he was shot in the line of duty last month. Dubas hopes others want to do the same, and he will make blank hearts available in the garden on Sunday afternoon.
"We will have some scribes here that if anyone wishes to show up and have a valentine inscribed expressing well wishes for Det. Kyle Gilmartin."
The last day to send in requests for hearts is Valentine's Day. The hearts will remain in the garden until Sunday, February 18.