The Friends of Mercy was founded in 1935 as an organization of men dedicated to volunteering their time and efforts to raise funds for the construction of the new Hospital and advancement of medical and surgical care for the patients of Mercy Medical Center.

While members of the Friends are dedicated, first and foremost, to raising funds for capital improvements at Mercy, they also find friendship and recreational opportunities added to the dividents of membership.

The Friends raise funds for Mercy through the sponsorship of several annual benefits.  The Mercy Ball, held on the first Saturday of December each year, is the single largest fundraising event held for the hospital.  The first Mercy Ball was held in 1936 and this prestigious event has become the traditional kick-off for Long Island's holiday social season.  The Friends also sponsor an annual Golf Outing in September and a St. Patrick's Dinner in March, at which time the Friends traditionally present the proceeds of the previous year's fundraising actitivies to the Bishop.