A Downtown Emergency Fire Fund has been established to help residents and business owners affected by fire that destroyed part of The District area in Rock Island.
The fire started in a building slated for demolition in the 200 block of 18th Street. After they were called to the scene at around 4 a.m. Sunday, September 28, 2014, it took firefighters several hours to bring it under control.
The building where the fire started had collapsed, and eight other buildings were damaged.
The Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation launched a Downtown Emergency Fire Fund to “assist immediate needs of affected residents and business owners,” according to information released late Monday, September 29, 2014. Renaissance Rock Island was also working to help displaced residents find housing and to help affected businesses relocate and reopen.
“Your donation is tax-deductible,” the information said, “Please include your mailing address along with your donation in order to be mailed a receipt.”
You can donate in person at Modern Woodmen Bank, 100 17th Street in Rock Island, or by mailing your donation to P.O. Box 8005, Rock Island, Illinois 61204. Members of Modern Woodmen Bank can donate by calling 1-877-255-2265.
Checks should be made payable to Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation c/o Downtown Fire Emergency Fund.
The first donation to the fund was $1,000 contributed by Modern Woodmen Bank.
