Toby Rothfuss usually goes about his job through the halls of Mendon Center Elementary in Pittsford without a lot of stop and go.

The school's friendly custodian has plenty to do in his daily routine. But this week, Rothfuss can't turn a corner, or pass a classroom, without getting a hug, handmade card, or a well wish from staff, faculty and students. 

"I'm at a loss for words. I really am. It's like, whew," Rothfuss said.

The school is rallying around Rothfuss, his wife and two teenage daughters after fire destroyed everything they owned.

Toby and his family survived the fire that leveled the Valley Motel apartments in East Bloomfield Friday. They lost everything, including their two cats.

"There were 20 years of our lives in that fire," Toby's wife, Cathy said. "I think of photos that were lost. Grandma's afghans that were knitted."

"This has never happened to one of us," Mendon Center Principal Heather Clayton said. "For one of our own to lose everything, we all feel that in our hearts."

And so, the school community has responded, raising roomfuls of clothing, home goods and other help.

A Super bowl fundraiser generated money for Toby's family.  A Go Fund Me Page for Toby's family has raised more than $28,000 so far.

"Having all the stuff you had in 20 years of marriage and nothin'. And now it's all building back up,"Rothfuss said.

The family's staying with Toby's family as they get back on their feet. They're already planning to start anew in a Bloomfield apartment down the road from where they lost the things from the last chapter of their lives.

"We're just so blessed to have that community around," Cathy Rothfuss said. "and we're so thankful that there are people who are willing to reach out."