MANASQUAN — Leggett’s Sand Bar was packed both inside and outside last Saturday as the community rallied behind Fiona Brown.
Fiona, 2, is a brave little girl whose life has been a struggle since infancy, suffering from near daily seizures, Aicardi syndrome and even more mounting problems.
Fiona lives with her father, Dan Brown, her mother, Jennah Trocchia, and her brother, Evan in Point Pleasant. She is now almost 3 years old and loves pickles and watermelon, “The Lion King” and Cookie Monster.
The fundraiser, hosted by the Manasquan Police Benevolent Association (PBA), was to benefit this local Point Pleasant family.
Shannon Savastano, a Manasquan patrolwoman, said, “Every year, the Manasquan PBA holds a fundraiser. This year is our fourth annual and we were looking for a family to help. A lot of our guys either come from Point (Pleasant) or we now live in Point (Pleasant). I live in Point myself too, and Dan (Brown) happened to be my son’s baseball coach one season, so I got to know the family and Fiona who is around the same age as my son.
“Just watching how they are as a family and how supportive they are of one another just really hit home. So when we were looking for a family to support for this cause, they were the first people that came to my mind,” she said.
Despite the muggy weather Saturday, the community came out in droves to both the inside and outside of the bar to donate and support this cause.
Tickets cost $30 and included a pig roast, buffet and one free drink. Event T-shirts and PBA apparel were for sale. A 50/50 was also conducted and live music was provided by Red House Band, based out of Point Pleasant. In total, roughly $7,000 was raised for Fiona and her family.
“We are in a position to help people and as police officers we do it every day, but not to this full-scope in the event of a fundraiser where you are really and truly giving back to a family in need,” said Savastano. “It is just something good we also hold near and dear to our hearts.”
Andie Dejesus, physical therapist for Fiona, said, “They are like family to us. We have been coming out since she was a baby. We see them at home and their family has become our family. You really get to know them after working with them for a few years. Fiona is very special and the family is amazing. Everything they do for her and the community is so supportive of them. It is wonderful to be a part of it.”
Carly Sestrich, occupational therapist for Fiona, said, “We have truly seen this little girl grow up. She is about to be 3, so we will be passing her off to the next set of hands, but we know we will not be saying goodbye because of these awesome events and living locally. We are going to be visiting her and hope to still be a part of her team.”
Upon turning 3, Fiona will move on to a different team of health professionals.
Kirsten Krasowski, direct instruction teacher for Fiona, “We have been with her from the beginning, so every success has also been our success. Being there and being able to support the family and watching her grow has just been a Godsend. They are like family.”
Radio station 95.9 The WRAT attended, both broadcasting and further fundraising for the event as well. Radio personality Gatz said, “When people are going through such a tough time, it is time for the unity to become community. It is rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty to help those who are really struggling.”
“We need to step up and help one another instead of turning a blind eye. It could be your neighbor’s kid or a kid your child goes to school with that is struggling. You don’t know what families are going through,” said Gatz. “We all need to step up and help one another instead of turning a blind eye. It could be your neighbor’s kid or a kid your child goes to school with that is struggling. You don’t know what families are going through. We all live in the same town…but this is where we step up and go right in. Anyway we can help, 95.9 The WRAT, we are always doing our part to make sure we get smiles across these kids’ faces despite what the family is going through.”
Brown said, “The outpouring of love and support from the community form multiple organizations, such as Manasquan PBA, Point Boro PBA, Mantoloking and Bay Head PBA, numerous towns, people we don’t know, local businesses, from Brick to Manasquan to Spring Lake, and so many others.”
Every day, Brown said, he receives calls from people and organizations who wish to continue to help Fiona and his family, which he is nothing but appreciative of.
“These events are able to help us get her supplies, keep a roof over her head, make sure she is getting the right care, the right food, the right devices and toys that she needs. That is the biggest thing,” said Brown. “With events like this, it also raises awareness. Nobody knows what Aicardi syndrome is.”
He went on further to say these events have gotten the ball rolling on the conversation on Aicardi syndrome, with more people in the community knowing what this syndrome is.
Brown also gave thanks to state Assemblyman Paul Kanitra and state Sen. James W. Holzapfel and their offices, as they have reached out to Brown and his family and have given them information and resources in getting the family the help they need.
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