On any given night at J.P. Doyle’s Restaurant & Public House in Sleepy Hollow, you’ll find what has made it a local institution since opening in 1999: neighbors greeting one another by name, families lingering over dinner, laughter carrying across the room. It’s a place built on community. 

As we celebrate 40 Years of Wishes, we’re proud to spotlight J.P. Doyle’s and owners Brian Doyle and Nick Bell, whose support of Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley spans more than 15 years and continues to shape our mission in meaningful ways. 

We first met Brian and Nick at a local Chamber event in 2009. That same year, they hosted their very first fundraiser at the bar. What began as a simple act of generosity quickly became a lasting partnership—one rooted in action, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to local wish kids. Since then, J.P. Doyle’s has been woven into the fabric of our chapter. 

In 2014, they launched the annual J.P. Doyle’s Golf Tournament, now a beloved fall tradition that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help grant life‑changing wishes. From 2015–2019, they expanded that impact with Celebrity Softball Games at Devries Park & Field, drawing crowds - and special guests like Boomer Esiason, Jennie Finch and MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred - for summer nights that rallied the community around a shared purpose. 

For Brian, the mission runs especially deep. After retiring from the FDNY, he began volunteering with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley in 2011, later serving the maximum 12 years on our Board of Directors. Today, he continues that commitment as a member of our newly formed Emeritus Board. 

“If you have a platform in the community, you should use it,” he often says. Through their restaurant, he and Nick have done exactly that, proving that meaningful impact doesn’t require a national stage. It begins right where you are. 

Over time, J.P. Doyle’s has become much more than a fundraising partner. It has become a second home for our chapter - a place where milestones are celebrated, events are hosted, wish families are welcomed, and generosity is felt the moment you walk through the door. 

That spirit was on full display in April 2024, when they helped bring Seven’s wish to be a chef to life. 

 For 12‑year‑old Seven, the kitchen was a refuge during her battle with kidney disease - a place of comfort, creativity, and connection with her mom. When invited to dream big for her wish, her answer was clear. 

The J.P. Doyle’s team welcomed her behind the scenes as one of their own. She spent a full prep day in their kitchen, perfecting burgers, tacos, and pizza, building confidence alongside culinary skills. By the time her Wish Day arrived, she wasn’t just participating. She was leading. As Nick put it, “She started as a shy young lady, but became a boss in the kitchen.”  

Surrounded by family, friends, and a cheering community, Seven served dishes she had prepared herself - creating memories that will last far beyond a single day. “My wish replaced the bad memories and made me feel like the bad stuff didn’t happen,” she shared.  

That is the power of community in action.  

It takes a village to bring a wish to life. A neighborhood restaurant can become a rallying point. A fundraiser can become a lifeline. A local business can help transform a child’s hardest days into something filled with hope. 

Brian, Nick, and the entire J.P. Doyle’s family have shown what’s possible when generosity leads the way. As we celebrate 40 years of wishes, their story reminds us that impact is built one wish, one event, and one act of kindness at a time.