Neighbors Rally To Help Plainfield Family After House Fire

Caption: The Humann home in the 4700 block of Dove Court in Plainfield, IL, after a fire tore through it Sunday evening.

Neighbors are rallying to help a Plainfield family recover after a devastating house fire on Sunday evening.

Megan and Chris Humann were burned out of their south Plainfield home when a fire started in their attic. The couple and their four children, along with the family dog, were all able to safely escape.

Joliet firefighters responded to a structural fire around 6:25 p.m. in the 4700 block of Dove Court. The home has sustained heavy damage and the family is staying with relatives and friends.

Elizabeth Hug, of the Helping Hugs Facebook group, and another family friend Rebecca Wiley, have started to collect clothing, towels, personal care items, housewares, dog food, toys and cash to help the Humann family get back on their feet.

Helping Hugs assists local families in crisis. Hug and her husband, Tom, dropped off a Walmart gift card for the family after the fire so they could buy incidentals.

“We went to see them last night,” Hug said. “Megan recognized our names from the Facebook page. She said she always watched our page but hoped she never needed it.”

Family friend Wiley has started an online fundraiser through GoFundMe. In the past 24 hours, the GoFundMe campaign has raised almost $5,000.

Basic necessities needed to help the family get by in the coming days include:

• boy (age 4) size 5, shoe 11
• girl (age 6) size 8, shoe 13
• boy (age 8) size 8, shoe 1
• boy (age 13) men’s 30-32 XL; shoe 10 1/2
• Mom shoes size 9; XL clothing
• Dad 32x32 XL; shoe 11 ½
• Dog food (small breed)
• Kids toys, including hockey equipment, dolls (Barbies), trains and cars
• Coats are urgently needed
• Toiletries
• Laundry soap (Tide)
• Blankets, sheets
• towels
• Gift cards to Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, supermarkets, fast food

Donations can be dropped off at these locations:

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, 8013 Shady Oak Road, Joliet (near Plainfield South High School)
• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, until March 27, River View Elementary School, 2097 Bronk Road, Plainfield
• Plymouth Congregational Church, 24022 Lockport St, Plainfield. Vestibule is always open.
• Or mail gift cards to the Humann Family, ℅ Plymouth Congregational Church, 24022 Lockport St, Plainfield, IL, 60544.

Online donations can be made to the Humann Family GoFundMe page here.