It began as a 21-page short story, "The Greatest Gift." Today we know it as the Christmas television staple, "It's a Wonderful Life."

Donna Reed presented the award for Cinematography at the 35th Academy Awards which went to The Longest Day.

Roberta Shore, known for her role as "Betsy Garth" on The Virginian (1962) for three seasons, made two appearances on The Donna Reed Show.

Donna Reed believed in herself, cultivated her talent, and wasn't afraid of naysayers. Imagine what can happen when you follow your dreams.

Donna Reed began a 48-year pen-pal correspondence with Violet Lindsay of Pittsburgh, Ohio at the age of 13. The two never met in person.

When the American Film Institute honored Frank Capra, Donna Reed related that she didn't know if It's a Wonder Life would be her last film.

Gene Reynolds, co-creator of M*A*S*H, was a presenter during the early years of The Donna Reed Festival held annually in Denison, Iowa.

John Wayne appears with Donna Reed in Trouble Along the Way (1953). A filming injury forced him to learn to throw and write left-handed.

Donna Reed became a peace activist in 1967, co-chairing the group Another Mother for Peace to advocate against the Vietnam situation.

April is National Card & Letter Writing Month. Donna Reed was a lifelong writer of letters both personally and professionally.

Donna Reed was devoted to family and left her work at the studio at the end of the day. She was not an actress at home but a concerned mom.

Donna Reed appears with Wallace Berry in The Bugle Sounds (1941). He was the highest-paid film actor in the world during the early 1930s.

Debbie Reynolds and Donna Reed were close friends, meeting through their charitable work. She later attended the 1988 Donna Reed Festival.

John Astin, known for his role of Gomez Addams on The Addams Family (1964) also appeared in a Season 4 episode of The Donna Reed Show.

Join Donna Reed's daughter, Mary Owen, and Donna Reed Foundation board member Kurt Lee as they share memories and photos of Donna.

Donna Reed appeared in Cavalcade of Stars, along with Cecil B. DeMille, Walt Disney, William Holden, Jane Wyman, and Mary Pickford.

Mary Treen secured a niche as a minor actress, appearing in It’s a Wonderful Life as well as three episodes of The Donna Reed Show.

Richard Denning appears with Donna Reed in the movie Hangman’s Knot (1952). Variety called it a "slam-bang western."

Donna Reed believed she was to be a guest in a surprise tribute to producer Harry Joe Brown. Instead, she was honored on This Is Your Life

Johnny Crawford makes a guest appearance on The Donna Reed Show in “A Very Bright Boy” (Season 4, Episode 15).