Marta Marin walked into the office at Derby High School Thursday, glanced at the 12 people who surprised her and promptly walked across the room to hug her 17-year-old daughter, Maryorie Perez.
They wept while they embraced.
It has been a trying week for both mother and daughter.
Marta and Maryorie lived in the three-story apartment house at 92 – 94 Olivia St. that was badly damaged in a fire March 29.
The fire, caused by smoking material left in an ash tray outside a third floor porch, left 18 people — 12 adults and six children — homeless.
The Perez family — which also includes dad, Elmer, and 4‑year-old toddler Elmer, Jr. — have been staying with relatives in Seymour since the blaze. Most of their belongings were damaged from smoke and water. They lived on the second floor for more than a decade.
On Thursday, students, faculty and staff members at Derby High School gave the family gift cards and cash totaling $1,900.
Marta, who had not been told about the collection, took a moment to collect her thoughts before addressing the people in the office. She explained that English is her second language — but no one had trouble understanding her message.
“Thank you very much, from my heart,” she said. “We had very difficult moments, but we have the best gift God can give — life.”
Next — Marta said she planned to share the donations with her upstairs neighbor, Theresa Tiano, 76. Tiano has been staying with relatives in Oxford since the fire.
Marta’s eyes welled with more tears as she thanked Derby High School for the donation. Maryorie wiped tears from under her own eyes.
Principal Greg Galliard interrupted with a hug.
“You guys are going to be just fine,” he said. “We will get through this.”
Immediately after the fire, the high school community passed around a large, empty water cooler, asking people to give whatever they could. The goal was $1,000 in a week.
“People went above and beyond. It’s humbling to know how generous people are,” Galliard said.
There are just 370 students in the high school.
High school staffer Debbie Piscioneri spear-headed the collection efforts. English teacher Anthony Gargano’s class contributed separately Thursday and gave Maryorie a card. Derby resident Tricia Slowik, whose son, Sam, is dating Maryorie, helped collect dozens of cardboard boxes from the school to help the family when they move to a new place.
“There are a lot of people who love you very much,” assistant principal Paul Landolfi told the family.
Derby Day Care Steps Up
The love extends outside the walls of Derby High School all the way to the Derby Day Care Center at 165 Elizabeth St.
Toddler Elmer Perez, Marta’s son, is a student there.
Elmer’s preschool teacher at Derby Day Care, Stephanie Trcka, spent much of this week soliciting donations for the Perez family from the businesses up and down Elizabeth Street.
So far Trcka has collected money or gift cards from several Derby businesses, including Archie Moore’s, Bar None, United Cigar, City Stitchers, along with the Shelton Wal-Mart.
Derby Day Care is just a block from the apartment house and Trcka was with the family on the sidewalk of Olivia Street while firefighters battled the blaze.
“As soon as I came back I started collecting clothes and money and whatever they needed,” Trcka said.
The preschool teacher said the Perez family is well-liked at Derby Day Care because they get involved. Marta helped to launch a parent group there.
“Elmer is a very happy, very nice kid,” Trcka said. “His whole family is great.”
Trcka said parents at the preschool began donating clothes immediately after the fire. They’ve donated money for Trcka to give to the family as well.
In addition, Trcka had a Perez family photo on file at the school. She had it enlarged and gave it to the family.
“I don’t know if there pictures made it out. At least they’ll have one family photo,” she said.
On Thursday, Trcka and her teaching assistant, Ana Svetz, took Elmer to the carnival in downtown Shelton as a way to raise his spirits.
The trip brought large smiles to Elmer’s face, as evidenced by the photos Trcka sent along.
Derby Seniors Help Out
The Derby Senior Center, under the direction of Sarah Muoio, has become a collection point for donations as well.
In the week since the fire, a large donation box at 293 Main St. has been stuffed with clothes, non-perishable food, stuffed animals, toothpaste, tooth brushes, soap and shampoo.
“We also have had many monetary donations,” said Muoio, who has been coordinating efforts with the Red Cross.
The Derby court house also put out a donation box. Court employees were expected to bring their donations to the senior center on Thursday (April 5).
Mrs. Tiano, the elderly resident who was rescued from the fire by a Good Samaritan Chris Esteves, is a member of the senior center. Muoio said the seniors have given her supplies and have been in touch with her.
“Mrs. Tiano contacts us daily. While she is clearly upset about the unfortunate event, as anyone in her position would be, she seems to be doing OK,” Muoio said.
The Derby Senior Center’s Knitting and Crocheting Club has donated 30 hand-made blankets to the fire victims.
Finally, the senior center and the Derby Police Auxiliary are trying to arrange a large, home-cooked meal for everyone displaced by the fire.
“Hopefully, we can set something up in the near future. Anything we can do to help, we are more than willing,” Muoio said.
Thank You, Fire Departments
Marta said Thursday she was overwhelmed by the kindness shown by her Derby neighbors.
She asked the Valley Indy to include a special thanks.
“I want to take the opportunity to say thank you to the fire department. I know how hard they work. Thank God for them,” she said.
