Merrick residents can help support local cancer patients while enjoying a night of Beatles classics at the Paddy Power Pub later this month.
The pub, located at 70 Merrick Ave., will host a special fundraiser on Oct. 17 starting at 6 p.m. to benefit the Hewlett House, the community resource center for cancer patients and their families founded by five-time cancer survivor Geri Barish. The evening will feature a performance by The Second Street Band, a Beatles tribute act known for its lively sets across Long Island.
Barish herself will serve as guest bartender for the night, with proceeds from drink sales and donations going directly to the Hewlett House. Co-worker Ellen Mowery’s husband, Jerry, is a member of The Second Street Band, and the plans for the fundraiser came together seamlessly.
Barish said Mowery’s husband regularly donates his services to Hewlett House, and after visiting the pub and meeting its staff, she loved the idea of hosting a Beatles night there. She immediately felt welcomed by the Paddy Power team and said the event combines fun with fundraising — a mix she loves.
“Who doesn’t like to go down, enjoy themselves, relax, and do something for charity?” Barish said. “And when I’ve seen these guys do their Beatles night, it’s fabulous. Who doesn’t remember the Beatles? Singing along just makes it happy.”
When the pub’s staff suggested she take a turn behind the bar, Barish said she couldn’t resist.
“They said, ‘Well, you’ll be the bartender,’ and I thought, ‘Oh God, I’m in trouble,’” she joked. “Anything other than a beer, forget it. But I’ll try anything.”
For Paddy Power manager Ciara Sloan, the combination of live music, community spirit, and Barish’s warmth will make for a memorable evening. Sloan said she knows Barish through the band members who play at the pub and felt the event would be a meaningful way to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Several regulars have been personally affected by cancer, she added, making the cause especially resonant for the Merrick community.
Sloan said she and her staff are expecting a strong turnout for the October event, noting that the Merrick community has always rallied around charitable causes. Hosting fundraisers like this one, she explained, gives both staff and patrons an opportunity to connect over something meaningful beyond a typical night out.
“It’s always good to give back,” she said. “I always get such a sense of pride when you fill a bar for a cause that’s pretty near to a lot of people in the area.”
The Second Street Band — the duo of Roger Leonardis and Jerry Mowery — primarily play acoustic sets, according to its website. Mowery, a Juilliard-trained musician, has played professionally for 40 years and has been part of several well-known bands.
The fundraiser coincides with Hewlett House’s 25th anniversary. Located on East Rockaway Road in Hewlett, the historic farmhouse — built 387 years ago — has become a lifeline for patients and families seeking free support, counseling, and resources.
Barish founded the nonprofit after surviving breast cancer herself and losing both her mother to the disease in 1974 and her son, Michael, to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1986. She said her diagnosis came just a week before her son’s passing — a moment that inspired her to dedicate her life to helping others through education, research, and compassion.
Since opening, Hewlett House has grown into a county-recognized resource center offering wigs, prosthetics, educational materials, and emotional support at no cost. Barish said the organization has helped connect patients with treatment and doctors, offering hope and guidance for families navigating cancer.
The house now has more than 5,200 wigs donated by salons and individuals — with more than 300 distributed this past July, the most in a single month since opening.
“There isn’t a thing in that house that hasn’t been donated,” Barish said. “Every day is a holiday — decorations for every season, laughter, tears, and hugs. We’re a family.”
Barish said she’s grateful to the pub for opening its doors to such a meaningful cause.
“It’s just wonderful to see how people come together when it’s for something that matters,” she said.
