How To Help, Donate To Prospect Heights Fire Victim

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, IL – In the aftermath of a massive condominium complex fire in Prospect Heights, which left hundreds homeless, many are wondering how they can help. Three people were injured in the blaze, which started at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the River Trails Condominium complex in the 800 block of Mcintosh Court. Many of the residents left with just the clothes they were wearing while others tried to go back into their units to save their belongings, Prospect Heights Fire Protection Chief Drew Smith told the Chicago Tribune.

“People started going into the units, and I get it,” Smith said. “They have immigration papers, citizenship documents and, considering the current political climate, it would be very difficult for them to replace them.”

About 150 firefighters from 50 departments worked to squelch the fire, which started in one 24-unit building and then spread to two other buildings, WGN TV reports.

A 13-year-old boy who was playing with a lighter may be to blame a blaze, a source told WGN. Prospect Heights Fire Protection Chief Drew Smith told Chicago Tribune officials do not believe the blaze was intentionally set. The "modest apartments" were homes to many Latino and Eastern European immigrants, many who do not have residence insurance, according to the Chicago Tribune.

As many affected by the blaze begin to try and rebuild their lives local residents, the Red Cross, local school districts, city officials and local restaurants have been stepping up to help. We have included information below on how you can donate to those in need.

Drop Off Locations For Donations

A handful of locations in the Prospect Heights area are now accepting donations of toiletries and clothing for family affected by the July 18 fire.

The drop off locations include: city hall, 8 N. Elmhurst Road in Prospect Heights; The Branch, 99 E. Palatine Road in Prospect Heights; Indian Trails Library, 355 Schoenbeck Road in Wheeling; Deli 4 You, 9 E. Camp McDonald Road in Prospect Heights; and Lakewood Chapel, 1307 E. Palatine Road in Arlington Heights.

Prospect Moose Lodge 660, 601 N. Main Street in Mount Prospect, will also serve as a clothing and toiletry donation center starting at 5 p.m. on July 19 through 5 p.m. on July 22.

"Clothing needed would be in all sizes, men, women, children... please donate as you are able, and thank you in advance for your generosity," according to a post on the Prospect Moose Lodge 660 website. "Clothing will be dropped off at Prospect Heights Village Hall on Monday morning."

One of the drop off locations, Deli 4 You in Prospect Heights, shared the following update regarding what victims need (as of Thursday afternoon): "At the moment, what the displaced residents really need are new toothbrushes, underwear, bras, socks, blankets, pillows, diapers, shampoos, and other items that they use for everyday."

Clothing Drives

Three clothing drives will be held in the coming days at River Trails Condominium Association, 811 Apple Drive in Prospect Heights, to assist victims of the massive apartment fire. New or gently used clothing donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 20, 23 and 24, according to a news release from Rep. Jonathan Carroll.

GoFundMe

As of Thursday afternoon, a GoFundme page set up to help the victims of the fire has brought in over $6,600. The money will be donated to Servant of Christ Jesus Ministries in Prospect Heights. The church will work with the affected families to buy the necessary items and find the necessary shelter for the families.

• Those who are interested can donate via the GoFundMe page
  

CCSD21 Helps Families, Offers Advice For Those Wishing To Help

CCSD21 school officials on Thursday commended the outpouring of offers of support from "not just our district employees and residents, but from across the state." At least 26 CCSD21 students attending Frost Elementary or Holmes Middle School and 13 students attending Wheeling High School lost their homes in this fire, Superintendent Michael Connolly said in a note posted to the CCSD21 Facebook page.

He offered this advice for those wishing to help those affected by the fire:

It is our instinct to wish to make donations of clothing or other material items in the immediate hours after an event of this type, however often times relief agencies and municipalities are not able to handle those items. At this time, the best option is to donate funds either through the Red Cross or other relief agencies, or for our CCSD21 families, through the Katie Samsel Foundation. District 21 operates the Katie Samsel Foundation which accepts donations to support D21 students and their families in circumstances just like this. We have activated a Katie Samsel link through our webstore. If you would like to make a donation, please click here: https://ccsd21.org/katiesamselfund/.

He also touched on the ways CCSD21 had helped so far and would help moving forward:

• Last evening, CCSD21 social workers began contacting the families of all students affected. We are currently in communication with families to identify immediate needs and will work with them to ensure those needs are met, particularly as we approach the new school year.
• We are working with our community partners to pull together daytime programming through summer camps or other options so affected children have a safe and engaging environment where they can play, learn, and experience some level of normalcy in a very uncertain time in their lives.
• We are coordinating with the Village of Prospect Heights, the Red Cross, and other local agencies to provide assistance where needed. This may include hosting recovery services in our facilities and being an additional conduit of contact for displaced families.

Red Cross Responds, Takes Donations

Fifteen volunteers with the Red Cross responded in the aftermath of the fire and immediately began setting up a reception center and canteen service to provide assistance, food, water, health services and emotional support to people being displaced by the fire. A shelter was opened Wednesday evening at Lakewood Chapel, 1307 E Palatine Road in Arlington Heights, to provide for the immediate needs of the people involved. Red Cross officials said the shelter would remain open until all residents can be relocated, according to a Red Cross news release.

The Chicago Red Cross is also accepting donations for those affected by the fire. You can donate online and choose – "I want to support your local Red Cross." You can also donate by phone: 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669). Or donate by mail: American Red Cross, PO Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.

Additional questions regarding ways to donate can be directed to the officials at Prospect Heights City Hall at 847-398-6070 ext. 206.

PHOTO VIA GOFUNDME