Angel Touch nonprofit a tribute to classmate

She was the one who took them in.

On Shelby McCarthy's first day at a new school, six years ago, she took a seat next to Mary Marquardt at Christ Our King-Stella Maris School, and the two became instant friends.

"She never left anyone out," McCarthy said.

So when the Bishop England principal called students to the gym last fall to announce Mary's death, a shock wave went through the room, said Joe Quinn, a rising senior.

"Everybody talked to everyone about this," Joe said. "Everyone knew who Mary was."

Shelby and some of Mary's friends formed a nonprofit called Angel Touch to do good things in Mary's name as a way of coping with her death.

"We just loved Mary so much, and we wanted to carry on what she did in her life," Shelby said.

One year after the nonprofit's creation, members of Angel Touch will help the Sullivan's Island Fire and Rescue Department host the 17th annual Floppin' Flounder 5K race June 14.

Proceeds from the race will go to Angel Touch, which has been raising money for oncology patients at the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital.

When people sent Mary gifts while she was receiving treatments at MUSC, she told her benefactors to give their donations to other children instead.

"These kids need more than I do," she told them.

Angel Touch picked the Children's Hospital, because Mary told her family that she wanted people to turn their grief into energy to help young cancer patients.

Joe said he and others are calling the Floppin' Flounder 5K Mary's Race.

In future years, proceeds from the race will be turned over to Angel Touch rather than to the rescue department, as was the practice in past years, said race organizer and Sullivan's Island Fire Rescue volunteer Huggie Hindman.

Hindman said he knew the students were looking for a race to put on in Mary's name. "We just felt that would be a good place to put the money," Hindman said.

The department already has two oyster roasts and a fish fry that bring in money, he said.

Since Mary's death, volunteers have been meeting weekly in Shelby's home, organizing smaller fundraisers such as car washes and bake sales. Kathy McCarthy, Shelby's mother, said the students have raised $10,000 so far. She said that becoming involved in Angel Touch has helped members deal with their grief.

Shelby said that throughout Mary's short life, she always volunteered to help others. Angel Touch has helped her cope with the fact that Mary is gone.

"I'm not letting anyone forget it," she said.