John Slattery wasn't at the Walk MS fundraiser this year, but a loyal group of students stepped up to honor the Suncoast High School teacher by walking for his charity.

The computer science teacher died about two weeks ago from a heart attack, so Christina Yannette tied a green ribbon around her head for the proudly Irish man and showed up at CityPlace early Sunday for the 3.1 mile fundraiser with about 20 members of the school computer club.

"He'd want us to be here," the Suncoast senior said.

"Today it was a priority," fellow senior Taylor Wilber said.

About 700 people gathered in the shopping center's courtyard, all supporting the National MS Society's South Florida Chapter, which is holding walks throughout the 10 counties it serves to raise money and awareness of multiple sclerosis. Another walk is scheduled in Boca Raton March 11. The MS Walk the Palm Beaches had reached nearly 60 percent of its $85,000 goal.

Herbert Hartman, whose team Cindy's Heroes is named for his wife who has had the disease for 10 years, said the $7,555 his team raised before the walk will receive matching funds from his company, Morgan Stanley, as well as other last-minute donations. "That number will continue to rise," he said.

Cindy's Team was by far the top fundraiser, and many team members have walked for years. In fact, Hartman is on the volunteer committee to organize the race, drafted "because I kept showing up."

So do Hartman's co-worker Harvey Siegel and daughter Amy Siegel, who gets her tradeoff when dad does the Komen race with her.

In the team's light blue shirt, Sean Quinn explained that the friends and co-workers want to support Cindy and raise money for the organization that helps her and other people affected by MS.

Hartman said the local chapter provides information to MS patients and their families, such as when new drugs are coming on the market or where to go for treatment, as well as an annual women's retreat and support groups. It offers health programs such as Tai Chi and financial assistance and equipment to those in need.

"They support us so we support them," Hartman said. "They make people aware."

Joel Kozlowski of Lake Park said he has held fundraisers for the group for several years, but this is the first year he decided to do the MS Walk.

"I have multiple sclerosis," said the owner of Brown Baggin' It. "It's not really knowing what can happen in the future: Live for today."

He's had MS for 11 years, and formed the Brown Baggers with girlfriend Lisa Mann. They raised $1,500.

While the two sported the entry T-shirt given to all walkers, Erin Russell and Bianca Ciceraro, friends from Palm Beach Gardens, made customized orange T-shirt with puffy paint to say "MS Walk 2012." The two raised about $100 each and walked to show support of Ciceraro's mom, who has the disease, and Russell's aunt who does.

"I'm sure everybody on my Facebook knows I'm doing this walk today," said Ciceraro, who hopes to raise awareness of the disease.

As the Santaluces High School band set a rousing beat for the participants starting through the inflatable start-finish marker, Andy Stein led Team Hope with a smile on his face and slight hobble to his gate. He admits the disease makes walking hard, but he likes to walk.

"I'm doing great and I think I'm going to stay that way," he said.

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Multiple sclerosis walk attracts 700