Farmingdale Merchants Vote The Chloe Belle Foundation For Round-Up Campaign, Aug, Sept.

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale business owners have voted The Chloe Belle Foundation as the August and September charity for its ongoing Round-Up Campaign.

The Farmingdale Village Business Improvement District and Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce teamed up to launch a Round-Up Campaign benefitting Long Island cancer charities.

Every two months, participating business owners will vote on a Long Island-based cancer charity or cancer-adjacent charity. Merchants will ask customers if they would like to round up their bills for the term's designated nonprofit. The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce will present a check to the designated charity at the end of each period.

The Chloe Belle Foundation's mission is to bring joy to children and young adults fighting cancer. The charity accomplishes this through sending care packages, hosting toy or food drives, and organizing fun events.

Remi Lindberg, president of the charity, said receiving the honor "truly means more than words can describe."

"I was shocked to hear that we were voted in by so many business owners of these incredible establishments in Farmingdale," Lindberg told Patch. "It is an absolute honor. Each and every local nonprofit that is on the ballot to potentially be voted on and chosen is absolutely spectacular. Whether our missions overlap or are totally different, the work everyone does is equally beautiful and deserves praise, support and the highest commendation. So, to be in the running and chosen is just mind blowing. We are so beyond grateful."

The Chloe Belle Foundation was created in honor of Chloe Belle Lindberg, a Northport resident who was only 26 when she died of acute myeloid leukemia in January 2021. She fought the cancer for 13 months after she was diagnosed at age 25.

Merchants wanted to vote for a charity that helps children, as September is Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, which Remi, Chloe's sister, said is "extra significant."

"It is an important month as it not only brings awareness to pediatric cancer, being Pediatric Cancer Month, but it also is a time where we can think of and honor the lives of the remarkable children who have suffered with this horrific disease, both those that have sadly passed and those in remission — a time to remember their braveness and strength as well as to reflect on what we can do to make sure no child has to go through this and no family has to face this ever again. We know it's an important month for our TCBF kids and their families and we strive to be right by their side."

August is also "so special" to the Lindberg family, as Chloe was born Aug. 29, Remi said.

"I feel like Chloe, in some strange way, was given a birthday gift," Remi said. "And since she is not here, the gift is bestowed upon the foundation and so many people will now receive a gift in future months. It is almost poetic. All I ever wanted was people to know Chloe and her story. When she first passed, I thought to myself, 'How is the world right? No one will ever meet my sister again or to be able to get to know her ever again.' Now, through things like this, she is known. It is incredible. Thank you so much."

August and September's participating list of businesses, subject to change, can be found here:

• ScrubzBody Skin Care Products, at 245 Main Street
• Burgerology Farmingdale, at 247 Main Street
• The Villager Farmingdale, at 306 Main Street
• The Nutty Irishman, at 323 Main Street
• The Nutty Irishman Recovery Room Cafe, at 323 Main Street
• 317 Main Street, at 317 Main Street
• Vico Costiera Amalfitana, at 313 Main Street
• Angela's Bra Boutique, at 223 Main Street
• Lithology Brewing Company, at 211A Main Street
• Vespa Italian Kitchen & Bar, at 282 Main Street
• Runner's Edge Farmingdale, at 242 Main Street
• Uncle Joey's Rainbow Explosion, at 451 Main Street
• The Chocolate Duck, at 310 Main Street
• KGI Design Group, at 280 Main Street #34
• Embassy Diner, at 4280 Hempstead Turnpike, Bethpage
• The Coop Nashville Kitchen Bar & Lounge, at 342 Main Street

Click here to read a Q&A with The Chloe Belle Foundation.

Joe Garcia, president of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, said it was important to support a charity in September — Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month — that has the mission of supporting children with cancer.

"It puts the issue back on everyone's mind in a world where we have information overload," Garcia said. "You get a chance to remind people that this is still an issue and you get to focus on one place to help. The Round-Up Campaign choosing the foundation is obviously very fitting, but I also think it's indicative of how important these sorts of events and campaigns are. I'm happy that Farmingdale is going to be helping this month with pediatric cancer and awareness."

Garcia said he would like to see more businesses in Farmingdale get involved so the campaign can "grow even bigger."

"I think that getting the word out is always the hard thing to do," he said. "There's so much information out there and so much marketing, that it's sometimes hard to get all the eyes you want on something onto it. I think that's getting better. What's really, really exciting is that some of the merchants are really making this a thing they're doing. Instead of just participating, they're driving the efforts."

Garcia said the more people who take a leadership role in the campaign, the better it will be in the long run.

"I would tell all of the merchants around town that this is a great campaign that really does not take much effort and no financial support from them," Garcia said. "It would really help drive this campaign to not only get the word out about it but give people a reason to shop in Farmingdale. With those shopping dollars, they have the opportunity to make small contributions that will make a big impact. But also to help raise more money. The more money we can raise, the more help these foundations will be able to provide."

Lindberg said The Chloe Belle Foundation always has exciting ideas in the works. For now, funds raised during the August and September Round-Up Campaign will most likely be used to provide financial donations to current and incoming "TCBF Kids" and recipients.

"We have been able to help recipients with medical bills, home bills, for them to go on vacations," Lindberg said. "So many different things. We just want to help in any way. So, we will continue doing it in that way because it just feels right."

Garcia said he is excited to see how the campaign continues to grow.

"I think other towns should get involved, too," he said. "I know that we're doing good. Anytime you're doing good, it rebounds back to you in the world. The more good we're doing, the better our businesses will see results."

Lindberg shared a closing message to the shops and customers who will raise money for The Chloe Belle Foundation these next two months:

"Words simply cannot express our gratitude and love for you," she said. "Every donation will go directly to help our mission. You are literally contributing to us continuing on. We love you so much!"