Fire Department overwhelmed with donations for young victims

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 1999 | 8:56 a.m.

Assistant Fire Chief Joe Planck said the department still will accept cash donations, but the family does not need any more furniture, clothes or toys.

Christian Gonzalez, 3, Orazio Gonzalez, 4, and Omar Gonzalez, 5, were trapped Feb. 9 in two rear bedrooms of the mobile home on the city's northeast side.

Elizabeth Gonzalez, 25, the mother of the children, and a fourth son, 18-month-old Ilan, survived.

Planck said the family has been offered three different mobile homes and will choose one that will be completely furnished. Stores have donated furniture, dishes, linens and appliances.

Caesars Palace hotel-casino, where Ms. Gonzalez works, has given the mother three months of paid leave and is offering free counseling.

Planck estimated that $10,000 to $15,000 has been collected for the family.

"I think it touched everybody's heart," he said.

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