Teen DJ Spinning From Truck, Gives To Food Bank, First Responders

EAST HAVEN, CT — Some heroic stuff is happening in East Haven.

There's Michael Roy's 'East Haven Proud USA Truck' blasting patriotic music as he drives through neighborhoods in search of donations for those working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, from first responders to food banks.

Then there's Tory Teto.

A 14-year-old disc jockey known as DJ Tory T, who back in early April began playing tunes from atop a truck in East Haven neighborhoods for kids with birthdays with Eddie Gags driving the truck.

Now, Tory's doing the same for graduating high school seniors, his aunt says. That in and of itself is very cool. But DJ Tory T took it further. For weeks, he's been collecting donations for first responders, frontline health care workers and now, the East Haven Food Pantry.

Deanna Teto, Tory's aunt had nominated her nephew as a Patch Hero. And he is. But he is deserving of a bigger shout-out.

Tory's been "DJing quarantine birthday parties on the back of a pickup truck and taking donations only and all his donations are going to essential workers, first responders, our food bank and others in need," Deanna wrote in her nomination form. "He has the biggest heart and enjoys every minute of helping people and making them smile."

Tory, who attends Joseph Melillo Middle School, has been doing birthday parades all over East Haven for weeks. On his Facebook page he says that if people want him to drive by and play music, they should reach out to him on Facebook and, he reminds folks to "please remember to use social distancing and stay safe!"

Tory said that as folks were talking about his DJ drive-by's, he was contacted by East Haven Mayor Joe Carfora who told him that as he was collecting donations, the mayor "asked us to please help them out seeing there are in big need," referring to the East Haven Food Pantry. And things progressed from there.

On Mother's Day, as he was in the East Haven beach area doing a party parade, the pulley on the power generator on his truck broke. Firefighters nearby "gave us rope to get it started" and a "great guy named Nick that we met yesterday who lives in the East Haven Center repaired our generator in 10 minutes." And paying it all forward, Tory shared Nick's business card on Facebook and encouraged folks with small engine repair needs to reach out. "Please call him. He's a great guy he knows what he's doing!"

In an interview with Patch, Tory said he loves music and after a friend started teaching him the disc jockey ropes, he set out on his own. Then, when he saw others using their vehicles to reach people, he jumped on board.

"We have been donating to the first responders with buying them pizza and coffee to thank them for all their hard work," he said. Then, he began the food pantry collections.

"I am doing this because they are in big need and I have a heart," he said. "I am willing to help because there are families out there that can't afford to go grocery shopping and need to go to the food bank. So, I'm always willing to help."

Follow his Facebook page, DJ Tory T On The Street, for updates on where he'll be next!

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