The room was glowing at the Heritage Club in Bethpage for the 26th annual Party for Life, chaired by Dr. Joseph and MaryAnn Mills and the Careccia family in memory of Peter Careccia.
Since the very first event, Party for Life has raised over $3 million. They support Kids Need More (stylized KiDS NEED MoRE), a nonprofit that sends children with cancer and other serious illnesses to camp where kids can just be kids. It’s a place full of connections, fun, and memory-making. They laugh, make friends, and forget — if only for a little while — about doctors, hospitals, and all the things they’re carrying. It’s where joy gets to take over.
This year’s event brought in approximately $130,000 and delivered one powerful moment after another. One of the most unforgettable moments of the night came when Emma Leary stood beside her parents, Brian and Emily, to speak about her twin sister, Morgan, who passed away this past March at just 16 years old after a long and brave battle with brain cancer. The Leary Family shared how Kids Need More became a source of light during their darkest time. How it gave them something to hold onto. How it reminded them they weren’t alone.
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Justin Siragusa was honored with the Peter Careccia Humanitarian Award for his extraordinary heart — including being a stem cell donor for someone he had never even met. His strength and selflessness were reflected in a beautiful speech by MaryAnn Mills, whose words moved the entire room.
Anthony Goss, a lifetime volunteer and Executive Board Member of KiDS NEED MoRE, was recognized with the Forever 15 Award, in memory of Cassandra Steinle, for his decades of leadership, mentorship, and his incredible heart. He’s led camp field day, guided younger volunteers, and continues to be one of the people everyone can count on. The night included a tap performance by Aja Mills Beckmann and CaliRose Mills Fast, a longstanding Party for Life tradition. And of course, it closed with the unforgettable Yankee Skit — where the Mills family comes out with brooms, and everyone throws money onto the dance floor as they sweep it up. It’s silly, it’s joyful, and somehow, it always feels like magic.
There were raffles and silent auctions full of thoughtful, extravagant prizes. And then there’s the band, Vinyl Revival — not just any band, but a Long Island favorite that always brings the energy, the throwbacks, and the kind of live music that gets people on their feet. A constant message echoed throughout the night — at the front of the room stood glowing marquee letters that read “DO MoRE” — a reminder of what this night is really about.
“Everyone in that room has been touched by cancer,” said Melissa Firmes, President of Kids Need More. “But what makes Kids Need More so special is that it gives people a way to act — not just feel helpless. We can’t always stop cancer, but we can send kids to camp, give families a break, and fill childhood with joy. That’s power. That’s the magic. And that’s why we’re here.”
