Retired school teacher gives to Christmas Happiness in honor of “rowdy,” “gambling gals”
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 17, 2014
- Illustration by Mark Brincefield, for the Salisbury Post.
When Dinah Carpenter was a school teacher her students would collect money for the Christmas Happiness Fund and she’d match their donations. Carpenter retired two years ago, but has continued to give to the Fund. This year she gave in honor of her “rowdy,” “gambling gals.”
Carpenter estimates she’s been giving to the Fund for 20 years, but it all started with her fourth grade classes at Overton and Henderson when the school had kindergarten through fifth grade.
The children would give in honor of abused and lost animals, Carpenter said. If the students collected $65 then she’d match them and they’d turn in their donations to the Christmas Happiness Fund.
She misses teaching the children, but fills her time with “a group of gambling gals,” Carpenter said with a slight laugh.
“I play bridge,” Carpenter started to say, but then said she has fun with her partners in crime gambling.
The women get together for a game twice a month and occasionally get together for a meal at a local restaurant. She’s known the women since high school.
“I enjoy them a lot. I thought it would be a nice thing to give gifts at Christmas. I told them watch for your names and I’m going to give in honor of you,” Carpenter said.
“We are a close knit group. It’s fun and simple. We act rowdy and we gamble,” she said.
“I do think it’s a wonderful thing,” she said of the Christmas Happiness Fund.
Donations to the Christmas Happiness Fund come from people in the community who earmark their gift in memory or honor of someone. Donations are brought to the Salisbury Post during business hours. The money is then given to the Salvation Army of Rowan County to distribute to eligible families.
The following contributions were given:
In memory of Joyce Knelp on her Birthday, December 17th by Debbie Eller $25
In honor of Barbara, Nancy, Mot, Yvonne for fun and laughter times together by Dinah Carpenter $50
In honor of our friends and neighbors in Milford Hills by Chuck and Liz Friedrich $250
In memory of Banks, Dick, and Earl and in honor of our fellow Winged Footers by Charles and Norman Goldman $25
In memory of my husband, Larry and sister, Cindy by Nancy Parish $50
In memory of my parents Polly and David Graham and my sister, Patsy by Nancy G. Corriher $25
In honor of of my grandchildren, Ruby Corriher, Will, Reese and Whit Welch by Nancy G. Corriher $25
In memory of Grover Miller “Buddy”, Glen and Hazel Trexler and in honor of Vangie, Baleigh, Gage, Lila, Jaxon and Anaston, our precious grandchildren by Doug and Judy Trexler $100
In loving memory of Jean Menius, Annie Harrison, Dot S. Leonard, Penny Lambert, Barbara Bassinger, Alma Misenheimer, Nicki Holt, Grace Miller and Doris Hysinger by Wachovia Retired Women $50
In honor of the Grands, Wayne, Jared and Rachel by Dick and Cheryl Reavis $25
In memory of George E. Rusher, Jr by His Family $100
In honor of my grandkids by Digna Freirich $100
Johnny Arey $100
In honor of our teachers from Doyt Watson Sunday School Class of Salem Lutheran Church $50
In memory of my husband, Howard Goodman by Virginia Goodman $100
In loving memory of my father, James Ryan and my brothers, Jimmy and Mike Ryan by Kathy Stoessel $25
In loving memory of my Baby Sis, Rosemary M. Kellner by Cheryl Reavis $25
In honor of our granddaughter, Rilynn Lane Moore by Gigi and Pawpaw $25
In memory of Ray and Stephen Weddington and in honor of Donald and Gayle Weddington by Cora Weddington $100
The staff of Wallace and Graham $1,250
In loving memory of Russell L. Hinson by Jared and Megan Hinson $30
In loving memory of Harold S. Lentz and Elon F. Massey by Ruth B.Massey $100
In memory of Buck Hurley and honor of Gordon, Carolyn and Jeff by The Leazer’s $50
In honor of Edith Brandon and in memory of Kenneth Brandon by Al and Diane Brandon $20
In memory of Frances C. Leazer, James E.Leazer, Sr. and James E. Leazer, Jr. by Al and Diane Brandon $30
In memory of Brian McNeely by Al and Diane Brandon $20
In memory of Randy and Barbara Jordan and in honor of Randy and Barbara Jordan by Alan and Carolyn Boyd $100
In memory of Gail Ralston by a Washko patient $100
In memory of Buck Hurley $500
In honor of my nieces and nephews and their family by John Sloan $250
In honor of Salisbury Post Readers by E.D. and Elizabeth Cook $200
In honor of our wonderful neighbors, Aunt Shelly and Uncle Ned $75
In honor of Friends and Fellowship S.S. Class of Mt. Tabor UMC by Brenda Carter $30
In memory of Gary and Brian Carter by Brenda and Jason Carter $30
Total $4,035.
Running Total $40,549.06
Contributions to Christmas Happiness may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mailed to Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, N.C. 28145-4639.
Please make checks payable to Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed.
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.
