Tri Delta sorority sisters participate in the “Give Thanks. Walk.” every year to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, but this year they will walk for another reason – to remember a sister.
Mary Albertson died on Sunday, Nov. 9, and by Nov. 10, friends had already started a Go Fund Me page to help her family with the cost of the memorial service. According to Tri Delta President Chelsey McNutt, that wasn’t what her family wanted the money to go to. Albertson’s family thought the money would mean more if it were donated to St. Jude’s in Mary’s name.
“Mary was a very outgoing, fun person, and something sad and dreary wouldn’t do her justice. So this seemed like a good way to honor her,” McNutt said.
As of Tuesday evening, the Mary Albertson Go Fund Me page raised $5,000 with donations from 135 people.
On Nov. 22, members of Tri Delta and many other Florida Gulf Coast University greek organizations will participate in the St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk. at Sugden Regional Park in Naples. There is a team that will walk in Albertson’s honor called the Mary Caitlin Albertson team.
“At first our goal was $12,000, but we raised $17,000. Now our goal is $20,000,” McNutt said.
By Tuesday evening that goal had already been surpassed. At $28,560, team Mary Caitlin Albertson raised more money than any other participating team, and has raised more than 46 percent of the total amount that the event has raised.
McNutt sees this team and the walk as the “perfect way to celebrate her life,” and would like to welcome anybody to participate. “You can join the team or just show up and walk with us or donate money,” McNutt said.
“Her family will be here with us, and anybody Mary touched is invited. Even if they didn’t know her,” she said.
Registration for the Give Thanks. Walk. starts at 7 a.m. and the walk itself, which takes place across the United States, will begin at 8:30 a.m.
At noon there will be a memorial service for Albertson at the Veterans Pavilion on campus.