Commack Charity Raises $40K For Grieving Families At Casino Night: 'Absolutely Amazing'

COMMACK, NY — Luke's Purpose raised $40K at its second annual fundraiser, Lucky Luke's Casino Night. The Commack charity provides money to families who lose a child.

The event was held April 13 at Pine Hollow Club in East Norwich.

Ashley and Burak Meyveci founded Luke's Purpose after the death of their son, Luke.

"The event was absolutely amazing," Ashley told Patch. "All of the planning and the visions we all had for how Casino Night would go came true and we couldn't have asked for a better night. So much goes on behind the scenes when planning these fundraisers and we want everyone who attends to not only have a wonderful time and remember the night, but to really understand the impact they have raising awareness to Luke's Purpose and helping raise money for loss families."

Learn more about Luke's Purpose through a Q&A.

Luke's Purpose donates to families to help cover the costs of funeral and cemetery expenses, medical bills, mental heath fees, lost wages, and any unexpected finances that come from the loss of a child.

Luke Meyveci died very suddenly on Oct. 14, 2022 — two days before his third birthday, Ashley said.

"My husband and I were completely overwhelmed with trauma and grief, we were not even thinking of the costs of the funeral and the medical bills we were about to be burdened with," Ashley previously told Patch. "Our family, friends, and community quickly rallied to raise money for us, so we were able to place Luke in a beautiful resting place. We wanted the best for him, even in his passing."

The Meyvecis now offer that to other families going through their own loss.

Last year's theme — the inaugural Luke's Purpose fundraiser — was Christmas in July. Luke's Purpose raised just under $40K, Ashley said.

"We were completely blown away by the amount and the support we received since it was our first fundraiser and we had only started Luke's Purpose eight months prior," she said.

The Meyvecis are already planning next year's fundraiser, and they hope it will be even more successful than the casino night, Ashley said.

The Meyvecis are collaborating with the Long Island Ducks, and Luke's Purpose Day is scheduled for Aug. 18. The charity will have a reserved section at the Ducks game. Children are welcome.

"We love having the kids involved when we can and doing family events as well," Ashley said. "In November we have a night with Psychic Medium Sandy and she will be performing a gallery style reading. This will be more of an intimate night as she displays her mediumship skills to a smaller crowd."

Luke's Purpose is continuing to "grow in so many ways," according to Ashley. To date, the non-profit has helped 40 families with finances that come from the loss of a child. The charity has covered the entire funeral portion for four families this year, all because of the money the charity has raised from its fundraisers, Ashley said.

"We've since partnered with New York Presbyterian Morgan-Stanley Children's Hospital and Stony Brook Children's Hospital to be a first-step resource for parents who have lost a child," Ashley said. "We've also recently expanded our Ronald McDonald Partnership from New York to Central Florida. We are always looking to partner with additional hospitals and facilities so parents know that these resources are available to them. The success of Luke's Purpose has been incredibly bittersweet, as we are so proud of how far we have come and how much we have grown, but know what these parents are going through."