Neighbor Launches Effort to Help Family After Caton Ridge Fire
With a 3-year-old son and a daughter on the way, the Cortez family was displaced from their Breckenridge Drive home just before the holidays.
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After a fire swept through their Breckenridge Drive home, a Plainfield-area family found themselves temporarily homeless.
Now, a neighbor is spearheading an effort for Geraldo and Lupe Cortez, who have a 3-year-old son and a baby girl due in January 2013.
The fire tore through the garage and spread to the second floor of the home, which is located in the Caton Ridge subdivision in Joliet but has a Plainfield address.
“They lost on their son’s toys and clothes as well as the clothes for their daughter,” Suzanne Shiffer said via email. “I am trying desperately to get clothes and toy donations for them … I’m happy to take donations at my home or even go pick them up.”
Shiffer said the family especially needs clothing, jackets and pajamas for their toddler son in size 3T or 4T.
Donations of toys for the tot are also appreciated, said Shiffer, adding that the boy loves toys based on the Disney/Pixar movie “Cars” — Lightning McQueen items in particular, she said.
Gift cards to local stores will also go a long way toward helping the family, Shiffer said.
To make a donation or to arrange to drop off toys, email Shiffer at SPS0709@comcast.net. Donations can also be dropped off at 1907 Great Ridge Dr.
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City of Joliet
150 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL -
Plainfield Village Hall
24401 W Lockport St, Plainfield, IL
richard
8:55 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Sounds like they forgot to insure their home properly. Tsk tsk....I love people who don't feel the need to properly insure. The neighbor may want to take up fundraiser to help themselves move...so they don't have to live next to a burned out home.
Heather Krieger
11:44 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Maybe you should know that it takes awhile to get the money from the insurance company. The neighbor clearly has a heart and compassion for the children who now have nothing. Unlike yourself believing the worst of people.
Cindy B
11:44 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Richard you sound heartless. They will be out of their home for months while it is fixed. I think its wonderful the community wants to help them. This world needs more people who care about their neighbors. How in the world you get a lack of insurance out of anything in this story is mind boggling.
Mom of 5
3:30 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
Richard: You are an embarASSment to humanity. Even the majority of heartless people who think your same kind of thoughts, have a shred of decency and don't publicly announce their cold comments....which puts you in a category all by yourself...and with a comment like that....that's exactly what you deserve...to be alone! I hope the family doesn't read that, better yet, I hope the patch deletes your stupid remark.
Marilynn Reinhardt
10:53 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Mom of 5 & Cindy B are right on track. Richard, you are a heartless person. I cannot understand how you can have no empathy for this family in this terrible situation. There, but for the Grace of God, go I -- ever hear of it? Let's hope you never have to rely on a helping hand because you really DON'T DESERVE IT. Get a little love & humanity in your heart. I would be ashamed to even admit I know you, much less call you a friend! I will be contacting Suzanne to make a contribution to this family.
ld
10:53 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Richard you are heartless....but this isn't about you. Let's hope we as a community can help bring some smiles to this family during this Christmas season.