The Brian Morden Foundation tries to provide a bit of cheer to patients, families, and staff during various holidays. Brian Baskets hold all kinds of goodies depending on the holiday. They may include toys, books, crayons, snacks, cards, stamps, phone cards, journals, hand cream, stuffed animals, Issy bears, Valentines, Easter eggs filled with quotations, joke and riddle booklets, and more.

Brian Baskets were first delivered to:

  • Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh in memory of Brian

Due in large part to the generosity of friends of the Brian Morden Foundation we have extended our outreach to:

  • Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger in honor of Erin Dodson
  • Penn State Children's Hospital at Hershey in honor of DJ Noel
  • Other childhood cancer patients and their families

Special thanks to:

  • Becky Klingeman (shopper extraordinaire) and her daughter Macey who are always there to help
  • The McKnights who always saw that we had munchies and whatever else we needed while filling the baskets (Sadly, Joyce died in December 2005, but Glenn does his best to carry on)
  • George Sackandy who often delivers baskets to Pittsburgh
  • Kim and Dave Aboud who see that the Geisinger baskets get to the right people
  • Grammy and Poppop Suckling who make the deliveries to Hershey
  • Mrs. Morden's elementary students who helped in 2004-2005 by making joke and riddle books, recording stories and poems, and who have used their creativity to do even more. Many students and their families joined the BMF in October 2004 for a Halloween Treat Bag Party for a Make a Difference Day project. This project has become an annual event.
  • Parents of Mrs. Morden's students who have donated wonderful treats including books, candy, toys, and more
  • AAHS Interact Club, Mr. Eric Zolnak, advisor
  • AAHS Student Council, Mr. Dave Aboud, advisor
  • Keith Community Service students, Mrs. Sherry Buck, advisor
  • Grammy and Poppop Suckling who remember Brian in so many ways including through their generous donations to Brian Baskets
  • Nick and his mother Shelly who have participated in filling baskets for every holiday since 2004 (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter)
  • Dean and his mother Silvia who has sewn countless Issy blankets and who now help whenever possible in making Brian Bags
  • Dee, Maureen, Tom, Karen, Melanie, Sharon, Jerry, Sara and so many other friends of Brian and his family
  • Pastor Romig and First Lutheran Church for lending the church to us
  • The Railroader's Memorial Museum and Scott Cessna, executive director for their generous donation of Memorial Hall

Valentine Brian Baskets


Valentine's Gift
"It is better to light one candle than curse the darkness."
Motto of the Christopher Society

Gift Coupons
"Good for one joke from your doctor."
"Good for a smile."
and lots more creative ideas from Mrs. Morden's students


More than 50 Valentine's bags/boxes were given away


Valentine's Crew

Queen Maureen


Easter Chicks and Nick

See more Brian Baskets


To donate Brian Basket goodies, to alert the foundation to other childhood cancer patients, to volunteer to help fill Brian Baskets, or to contact The Brian Morden Foundation for any other reason

email: fdj@brianmordenfoundation.org

return to brianmordenfoundation.org <3

last updated 1/29/07