Community Corner

Fundraiser to Donate to Autism Speaks in Gail Walsh's Name

Shrimp Fest, a fundraiser started last year by the late Walsh, will go on as planned tonight.

A fundraiser originally started by will go on as planned this weekend and all funds will be donated in her name.

Cinnaminson resident Walsh died in a freak car accident in January. She left behind two sons who have autism, a developmental disorder she spent her life raising awareness for.

The event is the 2nd Annual Shrimp Fest, a night of music, prizes, food and wine. The wine is courtesy of Dangerous Wines, a company owned by Larry Jamerson and Bryan Lindh. Lindh is the nephew of Walsh. But, when Walsh and Jamerson met, they didn’t know of one another.

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Jamerson and Walsh were in Miami, separately, at a boat show. Walsh was buying several hundred dollars of wine for charity baskets she used to make for autism fundraisers, Jamerson said. Russell Newberry of the Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, who is also a partner in Dangerous Wines, signs a lot of the bottles.

“She told me it’s always great to have personally signed items,” he said of Walsh.

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Walsh then told Jamerson her nephew back home had a similar company and it was then the two realized it was the same group. Jamerson said Walsh wanted to work together on a fundraiser after that.

“A year ago, I didn’t even know what autism was,” Jamerson admitted. “I had never even heard the word.”

After talking to Walsh, he started to do research.

Jamerson’s own company Dangerous Wines is a philanthropic effort itself—it helps to support wounded soldiers and military charities.

“It was amazing how our relationship developed,” Jamerson said. “Unfortunately, she was involved in that terrible accident and we lost a good friend. My partner lost his aunt.”

But Jamerson didn’t want the event to stop.

“We said let’s do it in her honor and let’s make it bigger than it was last year,” he said.

Jamerson also partnered up with Brian Sever of The Learning Well for Children, a Pemberton-based group that addresses special needs children in South Jersey. Walsh was involved with the organization. Jamerson said Dangerous Wines’ white wine is a promotional item in Walsh’s name to help funding for autism.

Proceeds benefit Walk Now for Autism Speaks.

Shrimp Fest will feature a “Dangerous” guest chef and will be held at the American Legion on Ft. Dix Road in Pemberton. Tickets are $35. Call Jamerson at 215-416-5656 or Sever at 609-304-8982 for more information.


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