Fund started for family who lost home in fire
An Antioch-area woman says she is on a mission to help a family devastated by a fire that resulted in the death of an elderly man and destroyed their home and belongings.
Jennifer Jamerson started a campaign to raise money for the Simonson Dolan Fire Fund shortly after hearing about the fire Sunday morning on the 38000 block of North Drexel Boulevard in Antioch Township.
“A neighbor came by and said, `These people's house burned down and they needed cat food,'” said Jamerson, who lives about two miles away. “I took it from there.”
Lowell Simonson, 76, was in cardiac arrest when he was taken by firefighters from the burning house and was pronounced dead at Centegra Hospital-McHenry. His wife, Patricia, 74, was also taken to Centegra with smoke inhalation and remains hospitalized. Their daughter and her three children and a special needs aunt were displaced, according to Jamerson.
She said her daughter goes to school with one of the kids.
“I, myself, have suffered personal loss that was pretty tragic,” she said.
“That broke my heart. I felt somebody had to do something about it.”
She said she posted on Facebook and within an hour strangers had donated 10 blankets, 10 pillows and boxes of toiletries.
Three tablets, gift cards, nonperishable food, dog and cat food and leashes and four months of prepaid phone service are among the contributions. A list of a variety of needed items is included on the donation page.
The Antioch Animal Hospital also is accepting donations toward the care of a family cat that was seriously injured, Jamerson added.
Officials are still trying to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.
To donate to the fire fund, visit www.gofundme.com/oyx2u8.