Clearwater Marine Aquarium Raises $10K For Largo Soldier's Family
Before he died in Afghanistan last month, Matthew Sitton was looking forward to bringing his infant son to the aquarium, which is now dedicated to helping the family.
Photos
A fundraiser at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has raised $10,000 and counting for the family of a fallen soldier from Largo.
The aquarium donated $2 from every general admission ticket Saturday, and volunteers collected donations from patrons in an attempt to help the family of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Sitton, 26, who died in August after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
Sitton, an Indian Rocks Christian School graduate, was due home this month. During the family's last Skype conversation, Sitton told his wife, Sarah, how excited he was about taking their now 10-month-old son, Brodey, to local family attractions, including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Last Friday morning, Brodey got to visit the aquarium and meet Winter the tailless dolphin. The Sitton family also received a donation for Brodey's education fund from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.
An E-Bay auction of a Guy Harvey painting will also continue for seven days, and aquarium officials say they will continue efforts to support the family on an ongoing basis.
Donations may also be made online or made out to Brodey Sitton and mailed to:
UBS Financial Services
150 2nd Ave. N. STE 1000
St Petersburg, FL 33701
Related Coverage
