Sugar Grove family who lost home in fire lands in Plano

The Sugar Grove family displaced by a May 2 fire moved into a three-bedroom Plano townhouse Friday.

"It's beautiful," said Wyvonda Clark. "It's only 11 months old. It has high ceilings. It's a really nice neighborhood with good neighbors."

Clark, her six children and her partner Jeffrey Stapleton lost the home they rented on Meadows Drive when a fire that started in the kitchen swept through the duplex.

More Coverage Links Residents helping Sugar Grove family [05/10/08] Sugar Grove house fire displaces two families [05/03/08]

Although Clark wanted her children to be able to remain in Kaneland schools, they will attend public schools in Plano in the fall. They will be able to finish the school year at the Kaneland schools.

Clark said she is so grateful to all who helped her that she is planning to write a poem with the help of her oldest son, who is 18.

"I want to thank everyone who helped, none of this would have been possible without them," she said.

Clark returned to her job early this week. She works for the Association for Individual Development in Batavia and she is studying to become a registered nurse at Waubonsee Community College.

Businesses and individuals have donated furniture, meals, household goods and clothes.

Clark said the family has enough clothes. They also have dishes and flatware, but they are in need of pots and pans, sheets, towels, a vacuum and mattresses for bunk beds.

The family has had to start over from scratch.

Donations can be dropped off at Castle Bank at 36 E. Galena Blvd. in Sugar Grove. Checks can be made out to the Clark Family Fund and mailed to Castle Bank, P.O. Box 650, Sugar Grove, IL 60554.

Information is also available by sending an e-mail to clarkfamilyfund@usadv.com, or going online to http://web.usadv.com/clarkfamilyfund.