Aidan's Army Foundation Of Northport Raises $12K At Inaugural Fundraiser

NORTHPORT, NY — Hundreds flocked to Northport on Sunday for the inaugural fundraiser for Aidan's Army Foundation, a charity created in memory of Aidan Fischer, who recently died of cancer at the age of 23.

The event featured food, drinks, raffles, auctioned-off art pieces, corn hole, and Aidan's favorite: live music. Tribute bands of Aidan's favorite groups rocked the lawn of RB Homes Realty, at 131 Scudder Avenue, for the entire afternoon. The top billing went to Razor's Edge — a local band that Aidan had played drums for. Three special guests — Aidan's father and uncle, as well as Rod Morgenstein, a family friend of the Fischers — filled Aidan's drum kit.

Overall, nearly $12K was raised for Aidan's Army Foundation.

Melanie Formosa, a childhood friend of Aidan's who organized the event, said she thought it went "really well."

"There was a big turnout," Formosa told Patch. "I'm really happy with how it turned out."

Formosa was joined in organizing the event by Tiffany and Arbi Asadourian, owners of RB Homes Realty. Support was provided by Jerry Beck, Arianna Keating, Michael Comerchero, Bill Albitz, and Will Aguirre. Maggie Cotignola connected Tiffany Asadourian with Formosa.

Beck "gave the event life by doing an incredible job as sound man," Formosa said. She also thanked Women of Soul for donating their speakers to the event.

Formosa said the atmosphere was bittersweet.

"I think [Aidan's parents] were happy and then they were also really sad," she said. "I think this was a very mixed event of being happy and enjoying music and also him not being here was also very weird. It was pretty sad."

Jenine Saccente, Aidan's mother, said she is "completely humbled and blown away by the generosity and spirit" of the community who rallied behind Aidan. Naming the charity Aidan's Army Foundation, she said, was a "no-brainer."

"Of course it's going to be Aidan's Army, because that's what he has," Saccente said. "His army has come together and shown immense love and support for him."

Saccente said Aidan's Army Foundation will have multiple goals: Help families who have a child facing cancer treatment with expenses; donating money to children's leukemia research; and championing causes near and dear to Aidan's heart, like helping animals.

"I have to do something for Aidan, and this is it," Saccente said. "To continue on and continue this mission of helping others. To find and help fund research for children's cancer, because it's criminal how there's minimal support for children's cancer research. It's mind-blowing, honestly, how all the money goes to the adult side. I didn't learn this until very late in the game."

When Aidan battled cancer, Saccente said she learned of more and more children being diagnosed with cancers like leukemia and neuroblastoma.

"What the hell is going on here?" Saccente said. "All these kids diagnosed with cancer. There should be more research and support on this side. A lot of kids are dying of cancer. I don't get how all of the research money goes to the adult side."

Saccente said the fundraiser on Sunday offered "encouragement and light at the end of this very dark tunnel."

"I'm struggling to find some kind of balance," she said. "I am just demolished. I can't wrap my head around this. I can't. I am so blessed to have the amazing support system that I have. I can't imagine people who don't have that, honestly. I don't know how you could do a minute with anything less than I have, because I am so blessed."

People showing up in droves to support Aidan and his memory made Saccente feel "enlightened, humbled and grateful."

Saccente's focus, she said, is on her son, Donovan, who was 17 when he lost Aidan.

"He deserves a healthy, happy life," Saccente said. "I want to show up for him. My reason for getting up every day and moving forward is Donovan. I lost my sister, but I was much older when I lost my sister. I can't imagine being 17 and losing your 23-year-old brother who he looked up to in so many ways I can't imagine. I'm just enamored of people's love and support."

Formosa thanked everyone who attended the fundraiser.

"Thank you for coming and supporting and celebrating Aidan's life and supporting Aidan's Army Foundation," she said. "Kickstarting that. Thank you."

Saccente thanked Formosa and the Asadourian family — she had not even met the owners of RB Realty until the morning of the fundraiser.

"They poured all this effort and support into this," she said. "People you don't know show up. That's the yin and the yang of it. There's really some bad sh— in the world. Aidan falling into that category of what happened to him is some really bad sh—. But on the other side, the yin yang, there are such beautiful, amazing people in this world who are angels."

Saccente recalled a man from Germany, who, the week before Christmas, donated bone marrow to Aidan for a transplant.

"We didn't even know this guy," she said. "He was a stranger. It's kind of amazing there are such beautiful people. All the people who showed up and supported. I am humbled. I am humbled and grateful for all of these people who showed up. I hope, hand in hand with them, I can continue to forge ahead and do good things in Aidan's name. That's it."

The artists that played at the fundraiser included Soul To Squeeze; Deadshot; STT Stone Temple Tribute; Ethan Meixsell; Pump The Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute Band; The Star Club; and Razor's Edge.

Formosa said she wants to emphasize the gratitude that Aidan's Army Foundation has for the participating restaurants, breweries, businesses and organizations.

Restaurants that donated food and drinks:

1. Miller’s Ale House
2. Salted. On The Harbor
3. La Porta
4. Timothy’s Pizza
5. PieZano’s of Northport
6. The Purple Elephant
7. Intermezzo Trattoria & Wine Bar
8. The Wine Cellar on Main
9. Jay Heun Chinese Restaurant
10. Northport Shipwreck Diner
11. Copenhagen Bakery
12. Cow Harbor Brewery Company
13. Sand City Brewing Co.

Businesses that donated merchandise, memberships, gift cards, etc.

1. Women of Soul
2. Southdown Coffee
3. Blondie’s Not So Simple Syrups
4. La Porta
5. Country Beer & Beverage Barn
6. BottleBargains
7. Gunther’s Tap Room
8. Mama Chan’s House
9. Village Deli & Bagelry
10. Dunkin’ Donuts
11. Main Street Cafe
12. Salted. On The Harbor
13. Northport Shipwreck Diner
14. Copenhagen Bakery
15. Kate Sydney Jewelry
16. Island Silkscreen
17. Einstein's Attic
18. Sweet Arts
19. Indigo Room
20. Gold’s Gym
21. Elements Massage
22. Anthony Paul Salon & Spa
23. Raízes
24. The Nest
25. Art Pop
26. Miles To Go Presents
27. Larkfield Car Wash & Collision Center
28. Jones Drug Store
29. Hydrangea Home
30. The John W. Engeman Theater
31. Artisan House
32. RB Homes Realty
33. Eaton’s Neck Youth Club: East Northport/Northport Basketball
34. Trigon Martial Arts
35. The Consignment Shop
36. D&D CBD
37. Lark Tattoo
38. Fountainhead
39. Yajamahe Yoga & Sacred Sound Sanctuary
40. Seasonal 'Scapes LI
41. Nature Calls Portable Restrooms
42. Heidi N. Zuckerman, DMD - Great Neck Dentist
43. The Firefly Artists
44. The Rhee Manfuso Family
45. Love of Learning Montessori School
46. Northport Journal
47. Northport Chamber of Commerce
48. The Northport Observer
49. Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) Troop #879
50. Youth Directions and Alternatives (YDA)
51. Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center
52. Smile Stories: The Movement
53. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
54. National Marrow Donor Program