Farmingdale Merchants Vote I'm Not Done Yet Foundation For June Round-Up Campaign

FARMINGDALE, NY — Farmingdale business owners have voted I'm Not Done Yet Foundation as the June 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.

Each month, 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 month's designated nonprofit. The Farmingdale Business Improvement District will present a check to the designated charity at the end of each month.

The I'm Not Done Yet Foundation strives to help adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors live their lives the way they deserve to. Lizzy Menges, founder of the charity, said the nonprofit is "honored and excited" to be chosen as June's charity in Farmingdale.

"Much of our work — and our heart — is rooted right here on Long Island, where we fundraise locally and support cancer-related programs that serve our community," Menges told Patch.

The I’m Not Done Yet Foundation was founded in memory of Bobby Menges, a devoted Long Islander who battled cancer over 15 years and three diagnoses.

"Throughout it all, he remained committed to community service and fundraising, especially at what was then Winthrop Hospital," Menges said. "Being recognized by the Farmingdale community is a powerful way to honor Bobby’s legacy and continue championing young cancer patients and survivors across the region."

Over the years, Bobby noticed critical gaps of support for adolescent and young adult cancer patients ages 15 through 39, Lizzy said.

"This age group is often overlooked in the cancer world, falling between pediatric and adult care," Lizzy said.

June'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
• The Chocolate Duck, at 310 Main Street
• KGI Design Group, at 280 Main Street #34

Joe Garcia, president of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, said May — the inaugural month — was a "great success."

"Money has been raised, and businesses were promoted," Garcia said. "Going forward, we're only going to build on that success."

Garcia said Farmingdale has created a model that could be duplicated by other communities to "spread the help that's being given."

"So it'd not just be different patrons and businesses, but different communities," he said.

The I'm Not Done Yet Foundation raises funds and builds coalitions both locally and nationally to address the unique medical, emotional, and developmental needs of adolescents and young adults during and after cancer treatment.

The charity is currently partnering with NYU Langone Long Island and Northwell Health to offer support services that help young cancer patients preserve their fertility, which Menges called a "critical but often financially burdensome need," as many cancer treatments threaten future reproductive health. Donations help ensure these patients have access to guidance and financial assistance during a very uncertain time, she said.

Click here to read a Q&A with Lizzy Menges of the I'm Not Done Yet Foundation.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for rounding up in support of I’m Not Done Yet!" Menges said. "Every contribution — big or small — makes a lasting impact. With your help, we can continue to stand beside young cancer patients and survivors, helping them live full, empowered lives despite their diagnoses."

I’m Not Done Yet Foundation also hosts memorial blood drives six times per year to support the ongoing blood products needs on Long Island.

Upcoming drives are scheduled for June 16 at the Stewart Manor Country Club and on Aug. 18 at the Garden City Fire Department.

People can follow the Bobby Menges I'm Not Done Yet Foundation on Facebook or on Instagram.

The total collected for May's voted charity, the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, is currently being tabulated.

"My customers loved rounding up, and it was such an easy way to help a deserving charity," said Roberta Perry, owner of ScrubzBody Skin Care Products.

Farmingdale supporting a breast cancer charity in its first month and then supporting a nonprofit that helps adolescents and young adults shows how cancer has impacted so many different families from various walks of life, Garcia said.

"Unfortunately, I think it's universal that families and people here on Long Island are well aware of cancer," he said. "All the people from different walks of life and stations in their lives that it has affected, and the variety of charities being helped just goes to show the need is very big, and campaigns like this hopefully help us get further toward a cure for all types of cancers. It really goes to show there's a lot of support to help cancer charities and support cancer charities by the public, because there's been such good reception already and such good participation not just from customers, but businesses in raising the money and collecting the money, and also choosing the charities."