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BY ASHLEY SZATALA
Nearly 20 North Florida alumni organized a service day to build a ramp for and clean up the property of David Fleet, NORTH FLORIDA 2002, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2018
North Florida alumni have been convening monthly since December 2022 at various restaurants in the Jacksonville area to catch up. The gatherings are called a Fleet Meet in honor of David Fleet, NORTH FLORIDA 2002,* who was diagnosed in June 2018 with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As the disease progressed, Fleet eventually was unable to come out for dinner, but brothers still stop by his house regularly to visit.
They noticed during a recent visit an overgrown yard, and after a comment from Fleet’s mother and caretaker, Laura, about the work that needed to be done, they suggested amongst themselves that they have a service day for Fleet.
“Dave means a lot to us,” says Ben Carrino, NORTH FLORIDA 2000, who helped organize the service day. “It was an opportunity to give back to Dave and his mom and show our support for what he’s going through.”
Nearly 20 North Florida alumni, many of whom hadn’t seen each other in years, arrived at Fleet’s house on May 6, 2023, to help clean up his property and build a ramp for Fleet to use with his electric scooter. For the alumni’s efforts assisting Fleet, they have been named this quarter’s Mark V. Anderson Character-in-ActionTM Leadership Award recipients.
The men spent the day weeding, trimming trees, cleaning up flower beds, cutting overgrown shrubs, cleaning gutters and removing a swing set Fleet’s daughter had outgrown. In addition, although Fleet had a ramp for his electric scooter, it was built in such a way that the car in the garage had to be moved to allow the scooter to get in and out. One of the North Florida brothers is a contractor and helped build Fleet an L-shaped ramp to allow the car to stay in the garage.
“I was not expecting that many people to show up. The support was overwhelming,” Fleet says. “I hadn’t seen some of the guys in 10 years. It’s been months since they’ve been here, and I still get a heartwarming feeling when I look outside and think about what they did. I’m so grateful for everything they did.”
Steve Papas, NORTH FLORIDA 2000, who also helped organize and participate in the service day, credits the strong brotherhood of the chapter alumni for the turnout and support of Fleet.
“We have a great alumni group, and we help each other out. Our approach is to leave things better than we found it, whether that’s picking up a brother when he’s down or being a good representative of character to others,” he says. “We’ve been staying in touch with David and his mom through all of this and just want to give them love and support.”
The men also have been supporting Fleet in other ways. About 50 brothers attended the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS in March 2023 and are putting out feelers for a vehicle to accommodate the electric scooter, Fleet says.
“My brothers are my best friends. They’re like a second family,” he says. “They check in on me, ask about my family and offer help whenever I need it. They’re absolutely amazing.”
Editor’s note: David Fleet, NORTH FLORIDA 2002, entered the Chapter Eternal on Nov. 20, 2023.
A person with good character shows trustworthiness, respect and fairness to others, as well as responsibility and citizenship. Those members who go out of their way to help others and those who overcome obstacles and lead with integrity are good candidates for the Mark V. Anderson Character-in-ActionTM Leadership Award.
Sigma Chi introduced the award to recognize the selfless acts of brothers. A formal recognition by the Fraternity allows non-members to appreciate the scope of the organization. For information about the award, see sigmachi.org/character.
