Urban Air Lake Grove to host 3rd annual Stony Brook cancer fundraiser

Urban Air Lake Grove will host its third annual Stony Brook Cancer Center Fundraiser in honor of late co-founder Dave Wolmetz, on Sunday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at its location in Lake Grove. 

Proceeds from the event will go to support blood cancer research at the Stony Brook Cancer Center, where Wolmetz received treatment from 2019 to 2023.

In October 2018, Wolmetz was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He was admitted to Stony Brook Hospital’s 19th floor, where his treatment started immediately. The staff at the Cancer Center and hospital treated him throughout his cancer journey, which spanned the COVID pandemic, and subsequently several hospitalizations over the years due to his compromised immune system. Dave lost his battle with cancer on June 9, 2023. 

“We grew up together, we went into this business together,” said Keith Handler, co-founder of Urban Air Lake Grove. “Dave loved to see kids happy and off their screens. This fundraiser is in honor of him to support the people who took care of him when he was sick.”

Last year’s event raised more than $10,000 to support research and treatment at Stony Brook Cancer Center, drawing kids of all ages to a variety of attractions including the 30-foot-tall Sky Rider zipline, mini go-karts, climbing walls, bumper cars, and more. Local vendors were also on hand for face painting, balloon animals, temporary tattoos and hourly raffles of everything from TVs to luxury vacations.

“Stony Brook Cancer Center was a very special place for him, and he loved the medical professionals who took such good care of him,” said Carrie Wolmetz, wife of Dave Wolmetz. “He always had hope; he always stayed positive. And he was always ready to try whatever new treatments were available, for himself and for other people.”

Urban Air Lake Grove is located at 3147 Middle Country Rd, Lake Grove, NY 11755. Donations to Stony Brook Cancer Center can be made here.