Sigma Theta Chi raised over $1,500 for The Alzheimer’s Association in the Abilene Memory Walk last Saturday. Siggies walked in memory of member Meredith Morgan’s mother, Janet Sprout Morgan.

The walk, which took place Saturday, Sept. 25th at the Abilene Zoo, was a success despite weather conditions. Thunderstorms delayed the event but Siggies and pledges walked in spite of the rain.

“It spoke volumes to me that we all came together to walk for Meredith and her mom in the first place, but even more that we did it in the rain,” said Emily Loper, senior English major from Athens and Sigma Theta Chi vice president. “About five minutes into the walk it started raining-but at that point it didn’t matter because we knew how much it meant to Meredith, her dad, and all of the other families there affected by Alzheimer’s.”

Chaplain Holley Craft, junior family studies major from Tyler, said the club participated in the even to show love and support for Meredith in this difficult time.

“Our goal as a club is to unify and support each other, and we couldn’t have planned an activity to better show our pledges that we really do love each other through thick and thin,” Craft said.

In a tribute ceremony before the walk, participants wrote the names of people they were honoring on a flower to place around the zoo. Mr. Morgan also spoke to the Siggies, thanking them for their support.

“One of my favorite activities during the pledging season is when we come together for our service project in the first week,” Loper said. “It’s really the first time that pledges and members all get to participate in something as a big group united together and working for the same goal.”

The Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research, according to the Alzheimer Association’s website. The event, in which teams walk to honor, remember, or show support for those affected by Alzheimer’s, has raised over $300 million since 1989. This is Sigma Theta Chi’s first time to participate.

Meredith Morgan, junior music education major from Arlington, said she felt very inspired after the event.

“Words cannot begin to describe how blessed and encouraged I have been today by the Women of Sigma Theta Chi,” Morgan said. “God’s love for all of us was shown today through each one of my sisters.”