Matt's Fish Camp donates $1,000 to Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation

Matt's Fish Camp in Lewes held a dine-and-donate event on St. Patrick's Day to benefit the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation. The restaurant donated $1,000, and personal donations brought in an additional $2,000 to the foundation, which is the leading nonprofit organization advocating on behalf of those with the rare syndrome, which occurs when part of the long arm of chromosome 22 is missing.

People with the syndrome are often diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum disorders. They frequently have severe cognitive disabilities, are nonverbal and have seizures and sleep disorders, as well as other behavioral and medical issues. One out of every 1,400 people worldwide is diagnosed with the syndrome.

The staff at Matt's Fish Camp first learned of the disorder through Jenny Nauman, the principal of Richard A. Shields Elementary School in Lewes, whose 13-year-old daughter, Elle, has Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. Nauman approached Matt's Fish Camp for help promoting Phelan Lucky, an online fundraising and awareness campaign involving St. Patrick's Day T-shirts.

The Matt's Fish Camp team wore the T-shirts during the event. "Now all of the people in our SoDel Concepts family know about Phelan-McDermid Syndrome," said Scott Kammerer, president of the hospitality company. Kammerer has known Elle Nauman for several years. "She is an amazing person," he said. "We were so happy to help raise money and awareness for any organization that supports Elle and her family."

Now an eighth-grade student at Beacon Middle School, Elle loves being the volleyball and soccer manager. Thanks to Tyler Coupe, a server and bartender at Matt's Fish Camp, Elle has been invited to be the volleyball manager at Cape Henlopen High School next year. Coupe is the head coach of the girls' volleyball team.

For more information about SoDel Concepts, go to www.sodelconcepts.com. For information about the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation, go to www.22q13.org.