<p>BAKER, La. — Members of a Louisiana State University fraternity chipped in more than $50,000 to pay off the mortgage of a woman who fed them when they were students.</p>
<p>About a dozen members of Phi Gamma Delta surprised Jessie Hamilton with the money for her 74th birthday on April 3 in Baker, Louisiana, <a href="https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/article_07c0de36-94ba-11eb-b4da-3756bca995b9.html">The Advocate reported</a>. Roughly 90 fraternity members raised $51,765, with each brother donating between $600 and $1,000 on average, the newspaper said.</p>
<p>“That shows how they all felt about her,” said Andrew Fusaiotti, who was a member of the fraternity in the late 1980s. “Jessie is one of these people that shows up to work and always has a smile on her face, eager to please and never complains.”</p>
<p>Hamilton worked for 14 years as a cook for the fraternity, but Fusaiotti also recalled her helping students with rides to the grocery store and doctor when he was on campus.</p>
<p>Another member, Will Rainey, said the fraternity brothers formed a special bond with Hamilton.</p>
<p>At the start of the pandemic, Fusaiotti called to check on her. She was still working two jobs to pay a 30-year mortgage for the home she bought at the age of 60.</p>
<p>Her plan was to continue working until the home was paid off. Now, she has plans to retire and visit Hawaii.</p>
<p>“This has been a blessing to me,” Hamilton said. “I have been worrying about how I was going to pay my house off. I am grateful for what God has done and has led them to do for me.”</p>
