HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – A group is working to help a family impacted by the fire that destroyed the Dayton Mini-Market last week as well as the apartments located above the business.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise $25,000 to help the Patel family, who owned the structure, as well as the eight tenants who lived in the apartment. The proceeds will also help the neighboring Dayton Tavern, which was also damaged by the fire.

As of Monday afternoon, just over $6,000 has been raised.

According to the GoFundMe page, the tenants who lived above the Mini Market did not have renter’s insurance. Four of the tenants are above the age of 50, and the others range in age from 38-45 years old and some are immigrants from Mexico, India and Honduras.
The tenants lost clothing and food items in the fire, which they prefer to purchase on their own with money donated as they have particular diets and clothing that adheres to cultural customs. Nonperishable item donations, such as hygiene products, can be dropped off at the Dayton Town Municipal Building at 125B East View St.
For more information, and to donate, visit the GoFundMe page.