Two Funds Set Up for Fire Victims

A fund has been set up for donations in honor of fallen firefighter James Rice and the victims of the 5 Hancock St. fire.

Peabody Police issued an alert via Nixle Saturday alerting those who have inquired about donations that there have been to two funds set up at

The first is the Firefighter James Rice Memorial Fund and the other is the City of Peabody Fire Victims Relief Fund.

Donations for both are being accepted at any North Shore Bank branch office, or can be mailed to the North Shore Bank, 32 Main St., Peabody, MA 01960.

Donations for the James Rice Memorial Fund can also be made directly via the city's firefighters' union, IAFF Local 925. They can be mailed to Local 925 c/o James Rice, P.O. Box 4313, Peabody, MA 01960.

"Mayor Michael J. Bonfanti, and all the members of the Peabody public safety community, thank you for your caring and concern for the many families affected by this tragedy," the alert said.

In addition, the Making a Difference in Peabody Foundation, led by local businessman Scott Frasca, is likewise accepting donations in the form of checks or gift cards to go to the displaced residents. Further details on donations be found here.

Frasca said the nonprofit group came to the aid of those victims on Christmas Eve with money or gift cards for hotels, food, clothing and housewares.

of clothes, toys, blankets, food and money for those families.

A wake for Rice will be held Thursday and the .