New Jersey’s chapter of Project Help to Eat, Accept and Live (HEAL) is coming to Turkey Swamp Park to shine a light on the negative stigma surrounding eating disorders. 

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the park will play host to the first ever event by New Jersey’s chapter of Project HEAL. Co-founder of the New Jersey Chapter, Jessica Jurinich, has been working since September to prepare for the chapter’s first event and getting the message out that recovery is possible. 

"It will be an intimate and positive event to raise awareness and get rid of the negative stigma attached to eating disorders," Jurinich said.

High school and college artists have donated art pieces themed around recovery, self-love and freedom for a silent auction. There will also be a Chinese auction held with items donated by local businesses.   

The event will take place Saturday, Nov. 19 at Turkey Swamp Park.  In addition to the silent auction and Chinese auction, Vic Avon, author of My Monster Within will also be speaking at the event. 

All proceeds from Saturday night will go towards Project HEAL’s scholarship fund, which gives away an annual scholarship to someone in need of treatment for an eating disorder.  

More information about Project HEAL. can be found on the national website www.theprojectheal.org, and on their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/ProjectHEALNJ.