Help is on the way for businesses and residents affected by the weekend fire in downtown Rock Island. The Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation has set up the Downtown Emergency Fire Fund, which is now accepting donations.
The fire began around 4 a.m. Saturday in a vacant building, located in the 200 block of 18th Street, near Huckleberry's restaurant. As a result, the vacant building and a tattoo parlor were torn down while other nearby buildings suffered smoke and water damage.
You can donate to the relief fund by stopping in at Modern Woodmen Bank on 17th Street in Rock Island or mailing a donation to Box 8005. Members of the bank may also call to make a contribution.
Checks can be made out to the Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation and donations are tax deductible.
Modern Woodmen Bank gave the first donation to the Downtown Emergency Fire Fund, $1,000.