Family, friends and strangers are stepping up to help a Milan war veteran and his family who lost everything in a fire over the weekend.
Randy Morgan spent the day at an Iowa City veterans hospital, replenishing critical medicine and medical supplies lost in Sunday’s fire that destroyed the Big Island home he and his wife Theresa shared for 20 years.
It’s a double whammy for the Marine who did two tours of duty in Vietnam, because he is fighting Stage 4 liver cancer.
Several inquiries have been made on Facebook about helping the family cope in the aftermath of the fire. Now, an account has been established at any area Blackhawk State Bank, and on GoFundMe.com.
“It’s not looking very good. He’s battling cancer, trying to overcome this, and their house burns to the ground and he doesn’t have a place to call home,” said Lisa Gaffney, Morgan’s niece.
Gaffney is taking donations at Kar-Mart locations in Milan and Moline. Her dad is Randy Morgan’s brother.
Theresa Morgan left her job at Mutual Med in Davenport four months ago to care for her ailing husband. Former co-workers are trying to help.
“We have set up an account with GOFundMe which is a great option for people unable to make it to a bank,” said Michelle McMullen with Mutual Med.
As for items like furniture, McMullen says another company has come through.
“Heritage Self Storage in Moline has offered to store everything until they find a place to stay,” said Michelle McMullen.
The family has also set up a Facebook account with more information at MorganHouseFireRelief.
No official cause of the fire has been released, but the Morgans think it may be connected to a fan in the garage. The couple has rented the house from a family member all these years.
