Mo's Favorite Charities

It all began with my grandmothers.

"Nana" as she was affectionately known, had a steadfast rule in her life - no matter how bad you think things are going in your own life, there are others who have it so much worse off than you. "Be sure to give to those who have not" she used to tell me, and would remind me of the three words that I needed to live by : "Faith, Hope and Charity".

"Oh" she used to add, "keep your sense of humor - you will need it to get through life". Funny thing is, she was right!

Nana was a huge fan of children and worked in the children's ward at Boston City Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. I remember visiting her as a kid and going through all of the Barbie Doll (and Ken) clothes she used to knit for the kids at the hospital who were so ill.

My other grandmother, "Grammy" as we called her, dedicated 27 years out of her life to running the dessert kitchen for the Boston Red Cross. During World War II this was no small feat. I loved and admired both of my grandmothers so much; they were loving, compassionate and hard working women who dedicated their lives to helping others.

Growing up as a kid in the Metropolitan Boston area, trips to Fenway Park with my grandfather and to the movie theatres with my parents meant two things - fun, and bring an extra dollar to give to "The Jimmy Fund". Attendants always came by with the jar for you to put any change you might have in you pockets, or stash a dollar in it. Everybody gave a little something to help the fight against cancer. This is one of the many reasons why I am proud to have grown up as a Bostonian. The Jimmy Fund, in conjunction with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, is a reputable and reliable charity with many success stories. To join in on a Jimmy Fund Walk or for more information, go to http://www.jimmyfundwalk.org/onthegowithmo.