Willow Glen Elementary School was particularly affected by the blaze. According to Willow Glen Elementary School Principal Dayle D'Anna, 16 students from 11 families were displaced by the fire, sparking an immediate response from the Willow Glen Elementary Parent and Teacher Association. The group immediately began collecting donations and set up a drop-off area at the school office.

PTA President Andrea Wheeler said parents dropping off their children immediately began asking how they could help and bringing in items to donate to the families.

The school collected clothing, toiletries, food, money and gift certificates for the families. On March 23, the day of the fire, the school also sent students home with a note asking families to donate needed items. The items went first to Willow Glen Elementary families, and the surplus was given to other people who had lost their homes.

Although the school closed on March 25 for spring break, Wheeler said the school will resume its collection efforts when students and staff return.

Meanwhile, District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager and San Jose Fire Chief Jeff Clet organized a donation drop-off station at San Jose Fire Station No. 6, 1386 Cherry Ave. Residents brought bags full of shoes and underwear, bottles of water and clothing for the people affected by the fire.

And local businesses also participated in the relief effort. On March 23 and 24, Siena, a Mediterranean Bistro in downtown Willow Glen, donated 15 percent of the profits from food sales to people who were affected by the fire. The restaurant also collected money for the Santa Clara Valley American Red Cross disaster relief and items to give to the families.

"We are a neighborhood restaurant," Siena owner Don Skipwith said. "Most of our customers are from the Willow Glen community, and we wanted to give something back."

Wheeler said residents' quickness to help their neighbors is a prime example of why she enjoys being a part of the Willow Glen community.

"That's what makes Willow Glen great," she said. "People are so willing to help others in the community, even if they don't know them."

The Santa Clara Valley American Red Cross is only accepting monetary donations. To make a donation, visit www.sanatclaravalley.redcross.org, drop off a check at the American Red Cross Office at 2731 N. First St. or donate with a credit card over the phone by calling 408.577.1000. San Jose Fire Station No. 6, 1386 Cherry Ave., and Willow Glen Elementary School, 1425 Lincoln Ave., are accepting non-monetary donations.