LFRG Restaurant Group Of LI Raises $21K For Breast Cancer Research

LONG ISLAND, NY — Lily Flanagan's Restaurant Group raised $21,584 for the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Center and breast cancer research in Stony Brook through selling pink drinks in October, the group announced.

The group features six restaurants: Lily's Babylon, The Villager Babylon, The Local in Babylon, Oakdale Brew House, The Wharf Oakdale, and The Villager Farmingdale.

Lily Flanagan's Restaurant Group, across its network, donated $5 of every pink drink sold in October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast Cancer hits close to home for the restaurant group, said Anthony Ward, the bar manager and event coordinator of Lily Flanagan's. In 2021, LFRG co-owner Niall Crowe's wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. The restaurant group immediately wanted to start donating a percentage of its drinks sold.

"It started 100% for that reason," Ward told Patch. "It really hits so close to our family."

Crowe's wife has since fully recovered and is in the clear, Ward said.

James Zeffiro, general manager of The Villager Farmingdale, said it is important to LFRG to be a part of the communities they have restaurants in.

"Breast cancer obviously hits home for everybody, but cancer in general hits home for everybody," Zeffiro said. "Every little bit helps. I hope it helps find cures. I know there are advancements being made, and that's all definitely part and parcel to so many other restaurant groups and other businesses, from big and small, that take the time to do stuff like this to make advancements and save people's lives."

The community really came together for the first annual pink drink fundraiser and the events since, Ward said. Small businesses in Babylon Village, the Town of Babylon, and staff members of LFRG donated their time and money, Ward said.

"Not even just that day, but in the weeks leading, the weeks prior, and even preparing for next year," he said. "It's really cool to see how much the community comes together when there's a cause."

LFRG has raised money for St. Baldrick's Foundation for more than 10 years, raising over $1 million total for it, Zeffiro said.