Green Wave of Support Buoys Local Teachers in Wake of Blaze

It was a typical Saturday afternoon at Jack’s Goal Line Stand on Brighton Avenue – bar goers watching sports games, swapping stories and catching up, as owners Nick Petitti and Tim Canavan navigated among the group. A typical Saturday, save for the Green Wave – er, sea – of humanity gathered in the back of the eatery at the “Help Us … Help Them!” benefit for victims of Monday’s Brighton Avenue fire.

The four-hour fundraiser – sponsored by Long Branch Public Schools (LBPS) – was to show support for Derek Tranchina, 27, James Falco, 26, and Adrian Castro, 26, all of the LBPS family; and Sue DePinho, 27, of Shore Regional High School, West Long Branch. Jack’s generously donated its eatery, and all the food, which was included in a $20-per-person donation.

“We had done fundraisers in the past, and we had success, so we did it again,” said Petitti, of Aberdeen.

The eatery not only hosted the afternoon fundraiser for the teachers, but held another later Saturday evening for all those affected by the blaze.

“We’re having one this evening for all the people who lost their homes – strike while the iron’s hot,” said Petitti. “I’m absolutely happy with the turnout.”

Walter O’Neill, Manager of Communication and Attendance, Long Branch Public Schools, was on the scene Monday at 10:30 a.m., and by 11:30 a.m., the fire had engulfed the block.

“It was devastating for everyone that was there,” said O’Neill, Oceanport.

The four teachers who benefited from Help Us were all residents of an apartment complex on Brighton Avenue, now merely a hole in the ground.

“I am the luckiest fire survivor you’ll ever meet,” said Tranchina, a teacher of history and criminal justice. “You don’t realize how lucky you are until you lose everything you own.”

Rallying together by the LBPS to support its fellow teachers has made the experience easier to endure, and this outpouring wasn’t lost on Falco, who noted it would have been tougher had he not been part of the LBPS community. The social studies teacher was stunned by the turn-out at the fundraiser.

“This is mind-boggling, it’s incredible!,” he said. “I can’t thank the Long Branch Public Schools – from the Board of Education to the students themselves – enough for everything they’ve done for us. They’ve been incredibly supportive and had I not been part of this school – and strong community in general – this experience would have been much more difficult.”

While not a member of the LBPS, DePinho – a teacher at Shore Regional – was a resident of the apartment complex on Brighton where she lived with Tranchina, and is coping as best she can.

“We’re taking it one day at a time – it’s been a whirlwind week,” she said.

Family, friends, co-workers – they all came, some from as far away as Toms River, and Old Bridge, as did DePinho’s parents. She was joined by her father as she mingled among guests at the event.

“I feel sorry for everyone – the 14 apartments – they lost their whole life,” said Dave DePinho.

One of those who perhaps lost everything was Falco, yet, reflecting on the past five days of his life, he was philosophical.

“On the one hand, you feel as if you’ve lost everything, and on the other hand, you realize the material things aren’t so important,” said Falco.

Material, immaterial – the quartet affected by the blaze still needed reinforcement, and it was provided by the crowd, and Help Us … Help Them! coordinators, student assistant counselors Amy Rock, Long Branch Middle School; Jennifer Czajkowski, Shore Regional; and Jennise Nieves, Long Branch High School.

“Amy Rock called me and asked if I could hold a fundraiser for Derek, James, Adrian and Sue,” said Canavan, Ocean. “I said ‘Of course!,’ and I’m happy with the turn-out.”

The three women publicized the event via fliers and advertising all throughout the district. The energetic coordinators also dutifully worked the entrance table and acted as cashiers at the event, and were very excited with the turn-out and show of support for their friends. Castro, a Spanish teacher for LBPS, was also overwhelmed.

“I’m speechless – there’s so much support right now, it’s amazing,” he said. “Words cannot express the gratitude I have toward this community right now – it’s incredible. Everybody in Long Branch has been so supportive – it’s one big family.”

The mood at the benefit was more like a college reunion rather than a fundraiser – lots of back-slapping, laughter, hugs and handshaking. Despite the catastrophe, spirits were high, especially for Castro.

“Today was a very special day, because I coach track for the high school, and they just won the 4 x 4 Group II State Championship,” said Castro. “It really made my day – it made my whole week.”

O’Neill was also upbeat, and pleased with the turn-out.

“The support they’ve been getting is just overwhelming,” said O’Neill. “The city and the whole community really just got together and embraced everybody with their efforts.”

Grateful to not only the community – but the local businesses and first responders – was Falco.

“I’d like to thank Central Jersey Bank who set up a lot of fundraising events for the victims, the Long Branch Fire Department, and the Long Branch Beach Patrol for all their help and support,” said Falco.

An appreciative DePinho was overwhelmed by the show of support Saturday.

 “We want to express our thanks to everyone for coming out, not only to support us, but everyone that was in the building,” said DePinho

Close to 200 jammed into the eatery throughout the afternoon, enjoying free food such as clams, chicken, salad, pasta, and mini soft pretzels. Help Us … Help Them! also had the added bonus of raffles priced at either $10 or $20 for gift cards or certificates donated by Amy’s Omelet House, The Peddler, Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sports Authority, Tuzzio’s, Charlie’s, Applebee’s and Cubacan.

The eatery was filled with not just fellow teachers, but total – yet generous – strangers as well.

“I’m here to support them. If it was me, I’d want people to do the same thing,” said Janine Dimuzio, Toms River, a leasing agent at Glen Ellen Apartments, Long Branch. “Sue and Derek came looking for a two-bedroom apartment at Glen Ellen, and I told them I didn’t have one, but I told them I’d see them on Saturday.”

Ah yes, housing. The teachers – who were victims of the five-alarm blaze that left more than 40 people homeless – lived in the same apartment complex on Brighton. While fundraisers raise funds for much-needed necessities, Castro, DePinho, Falco and Tranchina – staying with friends or family – are still without permanent housing.

“Fortunately, right now, I’m living with my parents in Middletown until I get back on my feet,” said Castro.

DePinho lived with Tranchina in their apartment, and is unsure as to where they will go from here. One thing’s for sure: She’ll greatly miss the apartment on Brighton.

“They have hopes to rebuild, but we’ll never be able to find anything as amazing and affordable,” she said. “The landlord was amazing – he treated his tenants like family. We’ll never find a landlord like him again.”

Castro shared the same sentiment about life on Brighton, one block from the beach.

“The only thing that hurts me the most is I’ll never be able to live in that beautiful section of Long Branch again,” he said.

Miraculously, Monday was a work day, and all four teachers were at school, not home, but one teacher was especially thankful for another reason.

“Thanks to my friend, John O’Shea – who notified me of the fire right away – I was able to save my dog within five minutes of the building going down,” said Tranchina.

He and DePinho – who got teary-eyed at the story – were fortunate, but Tranchina expressed his sympathy to a duo that wasn’t so lucky.

“My heart goes out to Barbara and Brigitte, who lost their pets,” said Tranchina.

Pets weren’t in attendance at the fundraiser, but men, women – even young children – flocked to Jack’s. More than one couple came with an infant in tow, since the benefit ended at 6 p.m.

“Despite having a baby and not getting out much, we had to support our buddies,” said Kelly Barratt, Bradley Beach. “My husband’s a history teacher at Long Branch High School, and Derek is in his reggae band.”

“We’re here to support our buddies who went through a difficult time,” said John Barratt. “I met Derek through the reggae band, The Peacemakers, and realized he was a teacher as well. The teachers come to Jack’s as a spot to get drinks, so it was an appropriate place to host it. The turnout is great – teachers are popular with not only students, but colleagues.”

DePinho had nothing but praise for how the community has rallied to help she and the other victims.

“We’ll never be able to express how thankful we are for the generosity and support,” she said.

Thanks to the generosity of the community – in time – the victims will soon rise like a Phoenix from the ashes.

To make a donation or for more information, contact the Long Branch Public Schools at 732-571-2868 or visit www.longbranch.k12.nj.us/.