Nahant resident Don Gavin to host Autism benefit

NAHANT-Don Gavin is one of the funniest comedians in the world, but when it comes to raising money for a good cause – especially one that he feels strongly about – he’s all business.Gavin, the godfather of Boston comedy who has been making a living doing stand-up around the globe for the past 25 years, is hosting and headlining the first Autism Speaks Comedy Night on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham.Gavin, a Nahant resident, has assembled an all-star cast of comedians, all of whom will be donating their time and efforts to raise money for Autism Speaks, a national organization that provides funding for research projects that aim to uncover the cause, prevention, treatments and cure for autism.Scheduled to perform are: Lenny Clarke, Jim Colliton, Jim Dunn, Artie Januario Larry Lee Lewis, John Pizzi, Ken Rogerson, Patty Ross, Dave Russo, Bob Seibel, Tony V. and surprise guests.Though he takes his act on the road for what amounts to more than half the year, Gavin is always first in line when a benefit such as this one is planned. In this case, he was the one doing the planning.Gavin approached his friend, Paul Halloran, whose 9-year-old daughter, Martha, has autism, about doing something to raise money for an autism-related cause. Gavin’s good friend and fellow comedian Lenny Clarke also has a nephew with autism.”It was all Don’s idea,” said Halloran, who lives in Lynn with his wife, Julie, and daughters, Kathryn and Martha. “He has been the driving force behind this, which we really appreciate. It means a lot to have a friend like him who is going out of his way to help us in our efforts to raise money n and awareness.”Gavin, who taught English and coached high school basketball for 12 years before making comedy his career, said he and his fellow comedians are always happy to get behind a good cause.”If we can raise a few bucks and make some people laugh at the same time, that’s great,” he said. “When they find a cure for autism, that’s when we’ll have the real party.”In addition to stand-up, Gavin has appeared in several movies, including “Shallow Hal” and “Fever Pitch” (as the Boston cop who grabs Drew Barrymore after her sprint across Fenway Park n “Ma’am, you’re going to have to come with me”).According to Autism Speaks, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic, and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls. Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others.Tickets for the Autism Speaks Comedy Night are $50. To purchase tickets or for more information, e-mail Halloran at [email protected] or call him at 617-872-0384.The Hallorans will also be participating in the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism on Oct. 19 at Suffolk Downs. Their team is called Martha’s Mission and anyone interested in sponsoring them or walking can go to www.walknowforautism.org and click on Greater Boston.