49th Celebration of Life Gala

Join us for an unforgettable night of glitz and glamour with our annual celebration of life gala

This May, FREE invites supporters to join us for a celebration of life gala – our largest fundraiser of the year, which generates funds to support FREE’s mission to support people of all abilities to reach their full potential and thrive in their communities.

Join us for a night of denim, diamonds, and dazzling fun—all in support of Family Residences and Essential Enterprises and the vital work we do in our communities.

Our Honoree

Phil Boyle

President & CEO of Suffolk OTB and Jake's 58 Casino Hotel

Phil Boyle has been both a governmental and business leader on Long Island.

He currently serves as the President & CEO of Suffolk OTB and Jake’s 58 Casino Hotel, one of the most high-profile businesses in downstate New York. Phil leads this public benefit corporation, essentially a government entity that operates like a private business, as it undergoes a major casino expansion while daily gaming operations continue.

Before being named President & CEO, Phil served for 26 years as a Member of the New York State Legislature; 16 years as a state assembly member and ten years as a state senator. Prior to his tenure in Albany, Phil served as a senior congressional staff person in Washington, D.C. for five years, including as the first Chief of Staff to former Congressman Rick Lazio.

Phil serves on the Board of Directors of both of our largest regional business organizations, the Long Island Association (LIA) and the HIA-LI. He also serves on the Board of the United Veterans Beacon House, a not-for-profit that provides housing for homeless veterans.

Phil obtained his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; his law degree from Albany Law School, and his master’s degree in public administration from the State University of New York at Albany.