Service sorority lends hand to successful diabetes walk

The scene was Busse Woods, Sunday, Oct. 14, at 5:30 a.m. For the past 20 years, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority Alumnae members have manned the registration committee for this annual Ron Santo’s Walk To Cure Diabetes sponsored by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Busse Woods was one of five locations to hold walks on Oct. 14.

Despite the persistent wind and threat of rain, the site committee assembled dressed for severe weather. However, the rain held off and the walkers were greeted by a bright morning.

The registration committee was co-chaired by Reta Holmgren and Pat Smith. Volunteers were assigned as check-in greeters, money counters and floaters, whose job it was to keep the registration process moving smoothly. The threat of severe storms kept many walkers at home rather than hiking the three-mile route through the woods.

Alpha Gamma Delta Alumnae Club greeted everyone with friendly and enthusiastic smiles while recording each donation envelope over the four-hour shift. The counters tallied over $202,000 while online donations were recorded at $420,000 and growing.

At about 11 a.m., the friendly skies turned and the wind and rain returned with gusto. The walk came to an abrupt end with patrons scurrying to their cars while the marching bands, bagpipers, musicians, Benny the Bull and other personnel retreated under tents.

A terrific event with a tradition of success continued to benefit from the dedication of Alpha Gamma Delta alumnae.

In 1979 Alpha Gamma Delta International Fraternity approved diabetes research as the international philanthropy. Chicago Northwest Suburban Club has been involved at the Busse Woods site for more than 25 years.

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