Patch 10/25: ‘They’re Trying to Change the World’: Lindenhurst Restaurant Launches Fundraiser for Liam’s Legacy
By Kepherd Daniel
LINDENHURST, NY — The energy at Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails was palpable on Saturday as owners Billy and Nicole Miller kicked off their fundraiser campaign to support Liam’s Legacy Athletic Association.
The Oceanside nonprofit founded was by Brian and Dena Driscoll to build an all-abilities, Miracle League–style baseball field on Long Island inspired by their 9-year-old son, Liam.
Restoration, which opened in August 2018 as a nonprofit restaurant, selects one local cause at a time and builds a restaurant-wide education effort around it, including staff briefings and nightly table-side storytelling about the beneficiary. For the next three to four months, all the restaurant's net profits will go to Liam’s Legacy.
Liam was born with tetralogy of Fallot, a rare congenital heart defect, and later diagnosed with ATR-X (Alpha-Thalassemia Mental Retardation X-linked) syndrome. He is nonverbal, uses hearing aids, and has complex medical needs. But he lights up at baseball games — the lights, music, and cheering bring him pure joy, a joy his parents hope every child can experience on the field.
Miracle League baseball is designed for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. For the Driscolls, the partnership marks the first marquee fundraiser in their campaign to create a fully accessible mini-stadium where children of all abilities can play, dance, and feel like stars — not just watch from the stands.
On Saturday, restaurant staff wore shirts with the Liam’s Legacy logo and spoke to customers about the cause.
“We’ve got a big chalkboard with their logo, our cocktail menu is about them and what Liam’s been through, and my whole staff is well-versed so they can tell every person who walks through the doors about Liam’s story,” Billy said.
Discussions with the Town of Hempstead have included potential use of an open site in Baldwin Park; however, no formal plans or approvals have been finalized. The Driscolls envision the ballpark as a place where children with disabilities can play baseball, enjoy movie nights, splash in an accessible pad and experience community events created with sensory and mobility needs in mind.
The estimated cost of construction is between $2 and $3 million, and Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails is the first major donor to support the cause.
“I love it,” Brian Driscoll said. “Billy and his staff — they’re amazing. They brought the whole staff in on a Monday when they were closed, we told Liam’s story, and met everybody. We’ve been here a few times — we’ll be coming out here forever.”
Since opening, Restoration has given away almost $400,000 to local organizations.
“We get to bring awareness to what they’re trying to do and how they’re trying to change the world,” Billy said. “There are so many good people — they don’t always get to be put on the pedestal they deserve. Here, they do.”
Nicole Miller added that the awareness extends beyond dollars.
“Getting the information out there — whether someone wants to come volunteer or knows someone going through something similar to Liam — that’s how you make connections,” she said.
Billy, who grew up in Lindenhurst and lives a mile away from the restaurant, said the Driscolls’ mission fits the neighborhood’s spirit.
“We got married around the corner and my kids go to school here — local is important,” he said. “We’ve had the same staff since the beginning. People leave and come back. It’s family. The passion behind what [Brian] wants to do — it’s admirable. I can’t wait to see it all.”
Looking ahead, Brian told Miller he’s already picturing opening day.
"I can't wait for this to open up and to invite him and his whole staff out here," Brian said. "That's going to be awesome."
How To Help
Those who want to support can visit LiamsLegacyAthletics.org.
LINDENHURST, NY — The energy at Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails was palpable on Saturday as owners Billy and Nicole Miller kicked off their fundraiser campaign to support Liam’s Legacy Athletic Association.
The Oceanside nonprofit founded was by Brian and Dena Driscoll to build an all-abilities, Miracle League–style baseball field on Long Island inspired by their 9-year-old son, Liam.
Restoration, which opened in August 2018 as a nonprofit restaurant, selects one local cause at a time and builds a restaurant-wide education effort around it, including staff briefings and nightly table-side storytelling about the beneficiary. For the next three to four months, all the restaurant's net profits will go to Liam’s Legacy.
Liam was born with tetralogy of Fallot, a rare congenital heart defect, and later diagnosed with ATR-X (Alpha-Thalassemia Mental Retardation X-linked) syndrome. He is nonverbal, uses hearing aids, and has complex medical needs. But he lights up at baseball games — the lights, music, and cheering bring him pure joy, a joy his parents hope every child can experience on the field.
Miracle League baseball is designed for children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. For the Driscolls, the partnership marks the first marquee fundraiser in their campaign to create a fully accessible mini-stadium where children of all abilities can play, dance, and feel like stars — not just watch from the stands.
“This isn’t a one-day thing,” Billy Miller said. “We take a Long Island organization for three to four months and put them inside the restaurant.”
On Saturday, restaurant staff wore shirts with the Liam’s Legacy logo and spoke to customers about the cause.
“We’ve got a big chalkboard with their logo, our cocktail menu is about them and what Liam’s been through, and my whole staff is well-versed so they can tell every person who walks through the doors about Liam’s story,” Billy said.
Discussions with the Town of Hempstead have included potential use of an open site in Baldwin Park; however, no formal plans or approvals have been finalized. The Driscolls envision the ballpark as a place where children with disabilities can play baseball, enjoy movie nights, splash in an accessible pad and experience community events created with sensory and mobility needs in mind.
The estimated cost of construction is between $2 and $3 million, and Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails is the first major donor to support the cause.
“I love it,” Brian Driscoll said. “Billy and his staff — they’re amazing. They brought the whole staff in on a Monday when they were closed, we told Liam’s story, and met everybody. We’ve been here a few times — we’ll be coming out here forever.”
Since opening, Restoration has given away almost $400,000 to local organizations.
“We get to bring awareness to what they’re trying to do and how they’re trying to change the world,” Billy said. “There are so many good people — they don’t always get to be put on the pedestal they deserve. Here, they do.”
Nicole Miller added that the awareness extends beyond dollars.
“Getting the information out there — whether someone wants to come volunteer or knows someone going through something similar to Liam — that’s how you make connections,” she said.
Billy, who grew up in Lindenhurst and lives a mile away from the restaurant, said the Driscolls’ mission fits the neighborhood’s spirit.
“We got married around the corner and my kids go to school here — local is important,” he said. “We’ve had the same staff since the beginning. People leave and come back. It’s family. The passion behind what [Brian] wants to do — it’s admirable. I can’t wait to see it all.”
Looking ahead, Brian told Miller he’s already picturing opening day.
"I can't wait for this to open up and to invite him and his whole staff out here," Brian said. "That's going to be awesome."
How To Help
- Where: Restoration Kitchen & Cocktails, Lindenhurst
- Campaign window: The restaurant will feature Liam’s Legacy for 3–4 months, with staff sharing the story table-side.
- Give by dining: Net profits from the campaign period will be donated to Liam’s Legacy at the end of the run.
Those who want to support can visit LiamsLegacyAthletics.org.
