Sa'fyre fan club adds Katy Perry, Beyonce

PHOTOGRAPHER: The Associated Press

In this Feb. 1, 2015 photo, singer Katy Perry performs during halftime of the Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz.

National celebrity websites have taken an interest in the story of Sa’fyre Terry, reporting recently on celebrities such as Beyonce and Katy Perry sending cards and packages to the 8-year-old arson survivor from Rotterdam.

Both TMZ and US Weekly reported on Perry’s package Sunday. The sites said the singer sent several items, including a hoodie, backpack and purse and a short card and note.

Sa’fyre can be seen in a video posted to her Facebook page in June singing Perry’s song “Roar” at a school talent show.

TMZ also reported on Christmas that Sa’fyre received a card and note from Beyonce addressed to her “Survivor Safyre!”

The site previously reported on other celebrities and sports teams sending cards and items, including Michael Buble, the TV show NCIS: Los Angeles, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team.

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, sent a package last week that included a letter, photos and a card.

The U.S. Postal Service said early last week that nearly 680,000 pieces of mail have arrived for Sa’fyre since the call to send Christmas cards to Sa’fyre began three weeks earlier.

Online donations to Sa’fyre’s www.YouCaring.com page have since topped $400,000.

Sa’fyre is the only child to survive the devastating May 2, 2013, arson fire at 438 Hulett St. in Schenectady. The fire claimed the life of her father, David Terry, and her three siblings, Layah, 3, Michael, 2, and Donavan Duell, 11 months. The arson remains unsolved.

Pulled from the home by firefighters, Sa’fyre suffered severe burns and underwent months of surgeries and hospitalization. She lost a hand shortly after the fire and since has lost a foot. There are more surgeries to come. She uses a prosthetic to walk, and she now lives in Rotterdam with her aunt and uncle.

Reach Gazette reporter Steven Cook at 395-3122 or [email protected]