On November 13th, over 150 guests gathered at Flowerfield in St. James in celebration of resilience and family togetherness at the 8th Annual Fall Celebration. As this year’s honoree, Gee Antapli-Zeb shared her moving story and helped to raise essential funds that will benefit families like hers for years to come. Over nine years ago, Gee Antapli-Zeb created Amara’s Butterflies Foundation in memory of her daughter, who passed away as an infant. Amara’s Butterflies Foundation supports NICU and PICU families through their medical journeys and further supports families so they can feel the comforts of home at Ronald McDonald House.
Thank you to the Stony Brook Advisory Council, chaired by Nick and Niki Croce for their support. Together, with the Council, the event raised over $100,000. The funds will allow us to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
An Enchanting Evening with Amara’s Butterflies
Amara’s Butterflies Foundation’s mission is to bring smiles, comfort, and support to families with hospitalized children.
During Amara’s hospitalization, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms became Gee’s safe haven—offering a place to rest, eat, shower, and recharge without ever having to leave the hospital. This support allowed her to remain by her child’s side for 134 days in the NICU and another 30 days in the PICU. That profound experience shaped Gee’s commitment to ensuring other families in crisis receive the same care, dignity, and comfort she was given.
Through Amara’s Butterflies Foundation, Gee has helped provide vital support to families at Ronald McDonald House for close to nine years. Every donation has directly benefited children and their families through the Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park. Beyond fundraising, the foundation honors Amara’s life by fostering love, compassion, and community through ongoing acts of kindness and generosity—impacting thousands of families at Stony Brook Children’s, Cohens Children’s Medical Center and beyond.
Beyond Fall Celebration: Amara Mia Zeb’s Legacy
Creating Support in Stony Brook & Beyond
Outside of her philanthropic work, Gee is a devoted mother, entrepreneur, and seasoned medical professional. She has over 14 years of experience as a certified physician assistant specializing in family medicine.
She loves spending time with her children—her two sons, Amir (11) and Kadir (Amara’s twin, 9), and her youngest daughter, Navia (5). Whether at home in Patchogue or away with family, Gee treasures these moments most, continuing to build a life and legacy rooted in love, service, and community.
Her guiding belief is that even the smallest act of kindness can send ripples of hope, love, and healing into the lives of others. Striving to keep Amara’s legacy and name alive is what drives Gee to do everything that she does.
Fall Celebration Brings Much Needed Support
At Fall Celebration, we welcomed friends old and new to support families of critically ill children and their families. Thank you to our sponsors for the evening:
- Presenting Sponsor
- Amara’s Butterflies
- Platinum Sponsors
- Stony Brook Children’s
- Ronald McDonald House Capital Campaign Cabinet
- Gold Sposors
- Liberty Coca-Cola
- PSEG
- Silver Sponsors
- Nick & Niki Croce
- State Farm Frank Raffone
- The Kevin Whitrock Family
- Walgreens
- Bronze Sponsors
- Northwell Health
- New York Cancer & Blood Specialists
