'Housewives' Giudice Raises Money for Kid Fighting Leukemia

Love her or hate her, reality TV star Teresa Giudice from "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" and "The Celebrity Apprentice" certainly knows how to draw a crowd.

Hundreds of fans filed in and out of Gina Avino Artistic Designs on Main Street in Ramsey Monday night for the chance to buy the Montville resident's latest cookbook, Fabulicious!: On the Grill, have the star sign in, chat with her and take photos.

Thanks to some coordination between Avino and local Lia Sophia sales reps Addie Moore and Debbie Migliaccio, the two set up a fundraising booth at the event. Proceeds from the jewelry sales and all of Avino’s sales during the night were donated to the Rasmussen family of Mahwah, whose 7-year-old daughter Ava was diagnosed with leukemia last year.

The Rasmussen family was at the signing Monday. Mom Samantha said they were “overwhelmed,” by the community support for the little girl.