Every year, Delta Zeta remembers Melissa Steckler, a sorority sister who passed away in 2001 due to burns from a grilling accident.
The 11th Annual Mel's 5k Walk and Run raises money for the Riley Children's Hospital Burn Unit in Steckler's memory.
The registration cost is $10, but additional donations are encouraged. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The first year it was held, Delta Zeta raised $10,000, mainly because students and staff knew Steckler and wanted to honor her memory.
Steckler's parents will be at the walk for the first time since the initial walk after her death. They are from Dale, Ind., which is about four hours south of Ball State, and have not always been able to make it to the walk. Delta Zeta will pay for their expenses including their hotel stay.
Steckler was a sophomore elementary education major before she died. Even though not many people on Ball State's campus remember Steckler, they can walk in memory of someone they lost or in recognition of Steckler's lost life.
"The character Melissa had was unbelievable," Kassi Bradley, senior public relations major, said.
Although Bradley didn't know Steckler personally, she has heard stories about her.
Bradley said when Steckler was in the hospital, which is where she spent the last months of her life, she would get so excited to see people that her machines would start beeping. The visitors were concerned, but the nurses knew that she was fine and that she was just excited to see her friends and family.
Bradley said she thinks it is important to remember all alumni because Delta Zeta is not just 80 members but all past members, too.
Participants in the walk will receive coupons, food and even money from Muncie businesses that wanted to donate to encourage walkers.
This year Bradley, Delta Zeta's philanthropy chair, hopes to raise about $3,000 to $5,000. She said that after the first year, the money raised dropped substantially but has stayed level since.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
