When does asking for "donations" go too far

So we have a Facebook group for the town I'm in. Most people use it for recommendations for restaurants, services, etc., or to post community events. Recently however there were a couple people asking for "donations". One was for a Christmas tree after theirs was lost in the move...a nice neighbor donated one after they got a new one. Well the next week someone posted asking for donations towards her daughter AND her trip to Washington DC for school! People were very annoyed that she was asking for handouts for a vacation. When does asking for "donations" go to far in your eyes? Did this Mom go too far?

*** to add, many people suggested she ask for extra shifts at work, hold a fundraiser with her daughter (bake sale, lemonade stand), or offer holiday help to people and she refused. ***