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Friends, family raising funds for Delavan family displaced by fire

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Firefighters battled a blaze March 5, 2010 that destroyed the Mulligan's Sports Pub and Grill in Delavan Township.

DELAVAN — Michael York is slowly putting his life back together.

A former manager at Mulligan’s Sports Pub and Grill in Delavan Township, York lost his home to a recent blaze that started as a grease fire at the bar’s kitchen and consumed the building within hours.

York, who lived in an apartment on the bar’s second floor with his girlfriend and two young daughters, said he is thankful for the outpouring of support his family has received since the fire.

“We got so much clothing for the girls that we don’t even know what to do anymore,” he said. “Everybody has been so generous.”

The Salvation Army provided York and his family with one month’s stay at a Delavan hotel, and area restaurants have offered free meals. Clothes and other items also have been donated abundantly, and York already is in talks with an East Troy establishment about a job.

To top it off, the family is looking at new apartment, and the owner has vowed to help the family get situated.

“It’s a great community,” York said. “People are doing unbelievable stuff for us.”

Slowly but surely, he said, things will get back in place.

Holly Strever, a friend of the family, said those close to York have scheduled two fundraisers to help the family get back on its feet.

The first fundraiser is Friday at Bella Gray’s Inn in Delavan. There will be raffles, music and dancing, and a couple of Mulligan’s former bartenders will serve drinks.

“It will be like another night at Mulligan’s,” York said.

The second fundraiser is a spaghetti dinner on Sunday, April 11, at Village Supper Club, Delavan. There will be prizes and raffles at that event as well.

“This community has stepped forward more than they had to,” York said. “And I really, really appreciate it.”

Benefit fundraisers

Two fundraisers are planned to help the victims of the fire at Mulligan’s Sports Pub and Grill in Delavan Township.

The first is a cash benefit event from 9 p.m. to close Friday, March 19, at Bella Gray’s Inn, W6763 S. Shore Drive, Delavan. There is a $5 cover charge.

The second event is a spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, April 11, at the Village Supper Club, 1725 S. Shore Drive, Delavan. Tickets are $5 for children and $7 for adults.