The Paddy Power Pub in Merrick was overflowing with energy, generosity and Beatles tunes on Oct. 17, as community members rallied for a spirited fundraiser benefiting Hewlett House — the community cancer resource center led by longtime advocate Geri Barish.
The event, which raised about $2,700, was organized with the support of pub manager Ciara Sloan and featured live entertainment, raffles and a guest-bartending stint by Barish that kept spirits high. By the time the first set began – which happened earlier than scheduled -- the pub was packed wall to wall with supporters, many of whom turned out after seeing flyers or hearing about the cause from friends.
“It was phenomenal,” Barish said. “The place was packed. People came in that had heard about it. They saw the flyer and they came in.”
Throughout the evening, attendees enjoyed food, drinks and a three-hour set of Beatles classics performed by The Second Street Band, which was co-founded by Jerry Mowery and Roger Leonardis.
Proceeds from the event supported Hewlett House’s mission to provide free services, guidance and emotional support to cancer patients and their families. During the fundraiser, Barish also found herself offering that same support firsthand — as several attendees approached her for advice and guidance about their own situations.
“There were a few people that were so happy that we were there, that needed help, and they were able to come and talk to us about it,” Barish said. “We’re helping three people who were afraid to talk to anybody, didn’t know what to do, where to go, and it just turned out to be phenomenal.”
The night offered plenty of lighthearted moments as well. Barish slipped behind the bar to help serve drinks, turning the task into part of the entertainment.
“Someone said, ‘Can I have a beer?’ I go, ‘Just give me the name.’” Barish said jokingly. “The bartender on the bar said, ‘Here’s the [bottle] opener. Can you do that?’ I go, ‘Yeah, I could do that.’ It was a great experience. Everybody had fun doing it.”
For Mowery, who has performed at countless community events, the evening had a special resonance given the cause.
“We’ve done hundreds of these,” he said. “But for Hewlett House, it’s always something that we treasure because we’ve all been impacted one way or another by cancer.”
Their set list leaned heavily on the Fab Four, with a few classic detours.
“It was mostly Beatles — we probably did 98% Beatles and 2% non,” Mowery said. “We did some Everly Brothers, which are big Beatle influencers, and one song called ‘Amy’ by Pure Prairie League.”
Ellen Mowery, Jerry’s wife, said the crowd’s enthusiasm made the night unforgettable.
“It went awesome,” she said. “It was so much fun.”
Between the packed crowd, sing-alongs and laughter, the fundraiser captured what community support in Merrick is all about — neighbors turning out for one another, and a local business opening its doors for a cause that matters.
“People had a great time,” Barish said. “The most important thing is that people came in needing help, and we were there.”
The amount raised during the fundraiser was not announced by press time.
