Plainfield Barn Fire: How You Can Help Surviving Horses

PLAINFIELD, IL — After a devastating barn fire killed 18 horses, a Plainfield family is struggling to rebuild — and the community is coming together to help care for the surviving horses. Plainfield South band director Jerrod Cook will collect donations to help feed the 12 horses that survived the July 5 fire at Del Real Stables near Wheeler and Ridge roads. Cook said the Del Real family's immediate need is grain for the horses, since the barn and nearby trailer filled with supplies were a total loss.

"Like a lot of animals, horses' diets should be changed gradually," said Cook. In order to keep their diets consistent, the family would like to continue purchasing the usual grain for their feed. The family could use gift cards to Blain's Farm & Fleet, Brother's Country Supply in Oswego and Rural King in Plano, Cook said. Cash donations are also helpful, not only to purchase grain, but also because several of the horses are undergoing treatment for burns they suffered in the fire, he added.

Donations can be dropped off at Plainfield South High School, 7800 Caton Farm Road, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 12. Donations should be brought the the band room at Door Q, Cook said.

Cook is the band instructor for one of the Del Real children, who is a senior at PSHS. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Plainfield news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

A GoFundMe campaign has also been launched for the family in the wake of the devastating fire.

"We are asking for help to rebuild our barn," according to the campaign. "Any help is greatly appreciated. ALL proceeds will go to the rebuild of the stables. Although Del Real Stables has an insurance policy in place, the majority of the insurance funds are going to pay for all the horses that were lost and injured in this tragic event. Unfortunately, none of the boarders had owner insurance on their horses. Fortunately, Del Real Stables had insurance on every horse on the property."

• 18 Horses Dead In Plainfield Barn Fire

Image via GoFundMe