Sept. 27, 2012

New Orleans - Mardi Gras World, in partnership with a number of local businesses and supporters, is hosting a fundraising event for injured Tulane University student Devon Walker from 8 p.m. to midnight on Thursday, Sept. 27. Walker fractured his spine while making a tackle during a football game two weeks ago.

More than twenty local businesses have provided in-kind donations and prizes for the event. Businesses interested in participating are encouraged to contact Mardi Gras World and speak with Paolo Lossi at 504-527-0393 or paolo@kernstudios.com.

Prizes that can be won at the event include a Denver Broncos Signed Shirt from Payton Manning, a desk NY Giants helmet, and gift certificates to some of New Orleans' finest restaurants.

Supporters include:
• Antoine's Restaurant
• Baru Restaurant
• Café Beignet
• Center Plate Convention Center
• Crescent Crown Distributing
• DIRECTV
• Evamor Products Inc.
• Felipe's Restaurant
• Galatoire's
• Hilton Hotel
• Kern Studios
• Lucy's Retired Surfer's Bar
• Mardi Gras World
• Per Me Store
• Pinkberry Yogurt
• PJ's
• Reginelli's Restaurants
• Rotolo's Restaurant
• Southern Eagle
• Ted's FrostTop
• The New Orleans Hotel Collection
• WOW Café & Wingery

A $20 minimum donation is being requested at the door, and larger donations are encouraged. One hundred percent of the cash donations will go to the Devon Walker Fund and help defray Walker's medical and other costs.

"As the father of two boys who play football, my heart goes out to Devon and his family," said Barry Kern, the President and CEO of Mardi Gras World and Tulane University alumnus. "Mardi Gras World hosts events throughout the year, and when I heard Devon's story, I knew we could help by putting on a world-class fundraiser to attract as many donors and supporters as possible."

T-shirts and charm bracelets featuring Walker's jersey number eighteen will also be on sale at the event to support the Devon Walker Fund.

The event will offer donors great food from some of New Orleans' finest restaurants and entertainment by local performers.

Mardi Gras World is hosting the event with a group of Tulane University alumni and a growing list of students, including Brad Girson, Jesse Schwartz, Coby Kramer-Golinkoff, Jillian Goldberg and Kendall Glazer, who wanted to organize a community event to raise money to help Walker and his family.

Donations to the Devon Walker Fund can be made at http://tulane.edu/devonwalker, and checks made out to "Devon Walker Fund" can be sent to:

Tulane Football
James W. Wilson Jr. Center
Ben Weiner Drive
New Orleans, LA 70118
attn: Devon Walker