Fund Spotlight
The Cathyrn “Graggy” Morris Fund
What are some of the characteristics of your mother that you want to carry on by having this fund in her honor?
My mother was a transplant to Lake Charles from Pana, Illinois, but Lake Charles became her town. She modeled community involvement/volunteerism for not only her four daughters and grandchildren, but others as well. She was respected by many adults for her various activities. Many were cornered by her persistent fund raising.
What causes were important to her and how did she demonstrate her support for them?
My mother was involved on a community level as long as I can remember. No matter her circumstances, she was aware how community fits into a state and a nation. She used her time and energy for a life-long commitment to participation. This set an example for her four daughters. Whether it was delivering meals to those less fortunate, collecting donations for many national, charity organizations or for her children/grandchildren's schools, she was part of the local fabric of Lake Charles.
Annually, my mother would receive packets from The March of Dimes and The American Heart Association, to name a few. She would walk door-to- door asking for donations to those organizations, collect checks, complete forms, and return everything to the local headquarters. When her children were in school, she was an active member of the PTA and involved in all school activities. If one of her daughters was interested in it, she was all in.
Many political campaigns enjoyed my mother's keen interest in politics. Her participation in local, state, and federal politics was witnessed by many. She spent many hours volunteering for campaigns, as well as long hours working the polls, until her age prevented her from doing this. She cast her last vote at 93!
Graggy pictured in the center (broken arm) looking at her grandson with all of her grandchildren and some of their significant others.
Tell us about some things her grandchildren loved about her or doing with her?
We were very lucky to have my mother (known to all as "Graggy") provide day care for our infants and/or after-school care for many of her grandchildren.
One of the most memorable activities was Graggy showing them how to pick magnolias, her favored flower, whether in her own yard or others. Graggy gave them much leeway in playing around her house, as shown by permanent marks (when she wasn't looking) on her living room rug.
To encourage reading, she would provide sheets to transform her dining room table into a fort with pillows and books from the many trips to the library. She gladly fixed many a BLT sandwich with homemade milkshakes. She created a peaceful, supportive, and fun atmosphere to grow up in. She was welcoming and selfless.
What inspired you to honor her legacy through a charitable fund?
I am inspired by my mother's carry-on attitude. I cannot think of a better way to carry on her example than donating the Community Foundation Southwest Louisiana, which will benefit the children of the community my mother loved.