Donations sought for Des Plaines fire victim

The Des Plaines Community Foundation is seeking donations of furniture, clothing and other items for a resident whose trailer home burned down in March, said foundation director Rosemary Argus, former 8th Ward alderman.

The resident, 50-year-old Rhonda Vendegna, has since relocated to a rehabbed trailer in the Buckhorn Ranch Estates mobile home park off South Scott Street.

Vendegna said the trailer is an empty shell at the moment that needs some repairs.

“It’s habitable by all means,” she said, adding that it needs everything including appliances, light fixtures, floor panels, replacement windows, refrigerator, stove, even a shower head.

“Our volunteers are going to make it livable,” Argus said. “She has no refrigerator, no clothes, even her dog burned in the fire. She pretty much has nothing, so anything (people) can donate would be appreciated.”

The foundation’s help has been a blessing, said Vendegna.

“They’ve been wonderful about constant contact,” she said. “And that was a great relief that at least you are not alone.”

Vendegna, who is receiving general assistance from Maine Township, is currently unemployed and looking for a job in sales and customer service and could use clothes to wear to interviews. Donated clothes should fit a petite size 6.

Smaller items such as pots, pans, dishes and toiletry may be dropped off at Argus’ home, 495 Courtesy Lane, or at Des Plaines city hall, 1420 Miner St. To have larger items such as appliances or furniture picked up, call (847) 297-4932.