Donations from around the country will help an Illinois family deal with their son's death in Iraq, the loss of their house in a fire and health benefit cuts.

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A trust for the Alcozer family of Elmhurst, Ill. -- set up by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's office -- has brought in $250,000 since Jan. 3, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Fifty-seven-year-old Jesse Alcozer said it doesn't make up for the loss of his son Christopher, a private in the Army killed in November, but he called the outpouring of sympathy "unbelievable."

Alcozer, a military veteran who was shot seven times in Vietnam, was told last year the Department of Veteran's Affairs was cutting his medical benefits.

Then, on Dec. 27, a fire started by a memorial candle for Christopher burned down the family home -- leaving Alcozer, his wife Judy, four children and two grandchildren homeless.

The family will use the donated money to build a new home. Furniture and toys have been donated as well.

The VA reinstated the family's medical benefits on Tuesday.