There were a lot of laughs, and many “oohs” and “aahs” as world-renowned magician Will Fern entertained the crowd at the Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer’s annual “An Evening of Magic” on Friday, April 10. The event took place at the historic Milleridge Inn in Jericho.

As the guests arrived and settled in at their tables, Fern strolled around the room to perform close-up card and coin tricks. Supporters of the Hicksville-based Foundation learned about his background as a magician and his appearances around the world.

After enjoying dinner, Fern further delighted the crowd with a 45-minute magic and mentalist show, bringing several audience members to the front of the room to assist.

The event also featured its staple auction of 33 raffle prizes ranging from baseball, concert and comedy show tickets, restaurant gift cards, baskets of bath and body items and an overnight stay at Foxwoods Resort Casino. Raffle winners were drawn at the end of the night, along with a 50/50 prize, wherein the winner received $650.

This year’s event raised over $6,000 for the foundation named in memory of Sarah Grace Weippert. The foundation was established in 2003 after Sarah died at age 12, following a brave fight against an aggressive form of leukemia.

Event proceeds support programs such as the Escape Hatch, the Bead Program, Gabe’s Chemo Duck and Sarah Grace’s Book Angels. Coordinating with social workers at pediatric cancer centers such as those at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids, Children’s Cancer Center at Stony Brook Hospital, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian and more, the Foundation is able to identify children and families most in need and provide financial aid, gift cards and more to ease the financial strain on the family.

During the 2025 holiday season, volunteer “Sarah’s Angels” delivered more than 600 toys to children with cancer. That is one example of the successful initiatives the foundation supports, including events like “An Evening of Magic,” and the generous donors who support them. Foundation President Matthew Weippert, Sarah’s father, spoke about Sarah’s kind heart and concern for others, like the time she wrote the police department asking how she could raise money for bulletproof vests for police dogs. His touching tribute to Sarah recounted her compassion, inspiration, eternal spirit and smile, even when times were tough.

“Thanks to our wonderful supporters, we have kept Sarah’s memory alive for 23 years and provided support to countless children and families when they have needed it the most,” Matthew Weippert said. “Our work won’t be done until the day we learn there are no more children with cancer. We don’t do this alone.”

To learn more about the Sarah Grace Foundation for Children With Cancer and its programs, visit their website at www.thesarahgracefoundation.org or send an inquiry to:The Sarah Grace Foundation, 17 E. Old Country Road, Unit B, PMB 202, Hicksville, NY 11801 or call (516) 433-9745

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Source: LI Press