Fans around the world honor Michael Jackson

Fans from around the world sent thousand of red roses today to honor Michael Jackson today, glendalenewspress.com reports.

Nearly 11,000 long-stem roses hugged the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. Hundreds more bouquets, teddy bears, posters and flower stands.

The crowd gathered outside the Great Mausoleum, which is closed to the general public, and where also Michael Jackson’s brother, Randy, emerged.

Among the throng of fans was Carlo Riley, a well-known Michael Jackson impersonator who said he plans to make the trip out from Denver, Colo. for many years to come.

“Even though he’s gone, this is still my passion,” Riley said.

Los Angeles resident Robyn Starkand – who helped organize the massive rose delivery through her online, PayPal-fueled campaign “One Rose for Michael Jackson” – said the roses allowed many more fans who couldn’t make the trek feel like they were part of the memorial.

Asked why she chose roses, Starkland said it was an easy pick.

“It’s the crem de la crem of flowers, and that’s what he was."

A Michael Jackson fan group based in L.A. tells TMZ they used social media sites to raise money from fans all over the world for the memorial project and finally collecting over $30k. Over half of the roses will be sent to senior centers and other places where they can be used to make people happy. No doubt Michael Jackson would approve such a wonderful gesture in his name.