(MT. VERNON, IL) — Many in the area are showing an outpouring of support to the 31 residents displaced by the Garden Glen Apartment Fire from Tuesday morning. Sears Hometown Store in Mt. Vernon will have a cook out fundraiser on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along with a raffle for a gas grill with all proceeds going toward the residents. Rolland W. Lewis Building is collecting donations for those that were displaced by the fire. For folks in the Salem area, Sheeler Rentals has a drop off spot at 418 South Broadway in Salem, which in turn will be delivered to the Roland Lewis building. Donations being accepted include all household items including kitchen items, silver wear, towels for bath and kitchen, all furniture, appliances, bath and laundry soap. The 31 residents were displaced after a fire caused by a vehicle colliding with the building and subsequent gas leak and explosion rendered the building uninhabitable. The driver of the vehicle, 30 year old James Scroggins has been arrested on charges of Aggravated DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and improper lane usage.
