Neighbor Launches Effort to Help Family After Caton Ridge Fire

After a fire swept through their Breckenridge Drive home, a Plainfield-area family found themselves temporarily homeless.

Now, a neighbor is spearheading an effort for Geraldo and Lupe Cortez, who have a 3-year-old son and a baby girl due in January 2013.

The fire tore through the garage and spread to the second floor of the home, which is located in the Caton Ridge subdivision in Joliet but has a Plainfield address.

 “They lost on their son’s toys and clothes as well as the clothes for their daughter,” Suzanne Shiffer said via email. “I am trying desperately to get clothes and toy donations for them … I’m happy to take donations at my home or even go pick them up.”

Shiffer said the family especially needs clothing, jackets and pajamas for their toddler son in size 3T or 4T.

Donations of toys for the tot are also appreciated, said Shiffer, adding that the boy loves toys based on the Disney/Pixar movie “Cars” — Lightning McQueen items in particular, she said.

Gift cards to local stores will also go a long way toward helping the family, Shiffer said.

To make a donation or to arrange to drop off toys, email Shiffer at SPS0709@comcast.net. Donations can also be dropped off at 1907 Great Ridge Dr.

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