Woodridge residents who want to help the 57 people displaced by the Windsor Lakes apartment fire can donate money online through a portal that launched Monday, Sept. 28.

Mayor Gina Cunningham announced that the Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors website is accepting monetary donations for fire victims. The registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit was formed after the June 2021 EF-3 tornado that struck Woodridge.

The Sept. 24 fire at Windsor Lakes Apartment Homes damaged 41 units and injured three residents and one firefighter, all of whom were hospitalized in stable condition. As we reported Sept. 24, the blaze took more than nine hours to extinguish. The cause remains under investigation.

All displaced residents have found temporary housing, according to Cunningham's update.

"The strength of our community is often most visible during our most difficult moments," Cunningham said Sept. 25, the day after the fire, in a statement reported by Patch.

Where to donate

Money: Visit woodridgenhn.org to give through Woodridge Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Gift cards, fuel cards and food (including pet food): Drop off at West Suburban Community Pantry, 6809 Hobson Valley Dr., Ste. 118. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Blankets, clothing and personal care items: Drop off at the Windsor Lakes Leasing Office, 7499 Woodward Ave. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New items are preferred, but clean, gently used items are also accepted.

Furniture and household items: Donate through Sharing Connections. Visit the organization's website for details on accepted items and scheduling.

What families need most

Cunningham's Sept. 28 update listed several items in high demand: gift cards and fuel cards, large shopping bags and sturdy containers, children's activities such as games, coloring books and toys for a range of ages, and cat supplies. Cat supplies are a greater need than dog supplies, according to the update.

Cunningham thanked Morgan Properties, the American Red Cross, Woodridge police social worker Felicia Acosta, SCARCE (based in Downers Grove), West Suburban Community Pantry and the Woodridge Volunteer Corps for their ongoing work with displaced residents.

This is the second apartment fire in Woodridge in 2026. The first struck Natural Falls Resort Apartments on Jan. 28.

No deadline for donations has been announced. Residents can check woodridgenhn.org and woodridgeil.gov for updates on the relief effort.