Nahant comedian headlines at Oct. 15 autism benefit

Don Gavin is a lot of things, but mostly he’s just plain funny.The Nahant resident and godfather of Boston comedy will headline the second annual Autism Speaks Comedy Night Thursday, Oct. 15, at Montvale Plaza, 54 Montvale Ave., Stoneham.Among the all-star talent line-up of performers are Steve Sweeney, Kenny Rogerson, Dave Russo, Rich Ceisler, Kelly MacFarland, Patty Ross and Joe Yannetty. Other well-known comedians tend to randomly appear at Gavin events if they’re in the vicinity, so there’s no telling who might be added to the mix.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. “The comedy community is very generous. They don’t make a dime from this. 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.”The inaugural comedy event came about when Gavin approached his friend, marketing and communications professional Paul Halloran, whose 10-year-old daughter, Martha, has autism. He asked Halloran what he might do to help out, particularly when it comes to raising money.Gavin was already familiar with autism because his good friend and fellow comedian Lenny Clarke has a nephew who suffers from the condition.”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 and awareness.”Gavin has been doing stand-up around the world for more than 25 years. 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 – “Ma’am, you’re going to have to come with me”). He recently hosted a benefit comedy night for Lynn’s homeless shelter.Autism Speaks is a national organization that provides funding for research projects that aim to uncover the cause, prevention, treatments and cure for autism.Tickets to the comedy night are $50 per person or $500 per table. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. To make reservations, send a check written to Autism Speaks Comedy Night, c/o Paul Halloran, 119 Nells Pond Road, Lynn, MA 01904, or call Halloran at 617-872-0384, or e-mail him at [email protected] portion of the proceeds from the autism fund raiser will benefit the Nashoba Learning Group in Bedford where Halloran’s daughter attends school.The Hallorans will also be participating in the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism Oct. 18 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.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.If You Go?Tickets to the comedy night at Montvale Plaza in Stonehamare $50 per person or $500 per table. Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m. To make reservations, send a check written to Autism Speaks Comedy Night, c/o Paul Halloran, 119 Nells Pond Road, Lynn, MA 01904.