EAST CHICAGO, IN — Community members are coming together to support East Chicago police officer Jocelyn Mendez and her three children after an early morning fire destroyed the Harvey townhome they were renting. The family escaped safely, but they lost their possessions and were left with only the clothes they were wearing.
The donation drive is set for Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the East Chicago Police Department. Organizers are asking for money, clothing and shoes for the children, and they are encouraging people who want to help to check with the organizers before heading over.
What The Drive Needs
The event is designed to collect practical help for the family right away. In addition to monetary donations, organizers say they are looking for clothing and shoes for the children. The source does not list specific sizes, ages for donors, or any other item requests beyond those needs.
Mendez said her children, ages 5, 9 and 13, were asleep when the family’s dog began barking around 3 a.m. Wednesday. She said the neighboring unit was already on fire and flames spread to the roof on her side as she rushed everyone outside. The family left in pajamas, and her oldest child went out without shoes.
How The Fire Unfolded
The Harvey Fire Department said a child in the neighboring unit suffered burns and was hospitalized in fair condition. Officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, though they described it as appearing suspicious. No further details about the investigation were included in the report.
For Mendez, the loss went beyond furniture and household items. She said the townhome had been the children’s home for years and that her two youngest children had grown up there. The fire destroyed all of the family’s belongings, leaving the donation effort as the immediate way neighbors can help.
Ways To Help
People who want to support the family can bring donations to the East Chicago Police Department during the Sunday drive. Organizers identified the event as a way to contribute both cash and needed clothing items. The story does not mention a donation link, phone number or mailing address, so anyone planning to give should confirm details directly with the organizers before traveling.
Crisis responder Lisette Guillen of Case Files Chicago is helping organize the effort. She said the response has shown how quickly the community can rally when one of its own faces a sudden loss. Mendez said the support has already meant a great deal to her family.
What This Means Locally
The drive reflects how local help can fill an immediate gap after a house fire, especially when a family loses clothing, shoes and everyday essentials all at once. For a police officer who often responds to other people’s emergencies, the outpouring of aid also shows how neighbors can step in when the roles reverse.
Groups elsewhere that want to organize a similar effort can start with a clear location, a short list of needed items and a public window for drop-offs. It also helps to name one person or organization coordinating the collection and to verify every detail before sharing it widely, especially when money or donated items are involved.
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