Yes, Mom's #1 favorite charity was giving a new baby doll to a little girl each Christmas. Mom would say "It just isn't Christmas until a little girl gets a baby doll". Mom in your honor...well...we got quite a few baby dolls this year for the little ones. I think we did you proud!
Mom either gave to Toys for Tots or grab some names off an Angel Tree. My favorite year was when mom decided to "go older" and got a CD player for a teen. Mom was so proud of herself that she also chose a couple new CD's for said teen. Mom chose classical music CD's. Not that that is bad...but I can only imagine the teens face when she opened those CDs. hahaha
One year Mom, Greg and I served the back end of the Toys for Tots charity by helping to sort and stage gifts so parents could "shop" for their littles one and personally select the gifts Santa would bring. I really enjoyed being on that side of the process. The funny story here is we were using Greg's Garmin and got lost 3 times on the way and finally had to ask for help!!
Another of Mom's favorite charities was serving the poor by helping out at the Salvation Army during the holidays. She and Greg would take laundry baskets full of Debbie's cakes, cupcakes, zingers...peanut butter crisps...all sorts of individually wrapped goodies and pass them out and chat with the folks standing in the long lines for food. Put a smile on their faces as they waited for their meals.
At Christmas Mom would fill stockings with donations from family, with candy, toys and a little money for the kids at the Salvation Army.
Lastly, Every year Mom made a donation to the St Judes Children hospital in TN. I think that stems mostly from Greg having his brain cancer...but even if it was only $5, Mom donated every year.
In memory of Mom giving whatever she could afford or skill she could provide - we will endeavor to carry on Mom's traditiions of helping the needy.