It's not just the goodwill that makes Christmas so special.

It's the memories of times spent with family, those wonderful memories that grow more dear to us every year. Do you remember how excited we were as children?

Or perhaps it's the faces of your own children opening the colorfully wrapped presents you call up in your mind. The way their eyes would light up in total glee?

But what if you are struggling to pay the mortgage or rent, insurance and utilities and hoping, even praying, to have enough left over for food? Imagine the worry of not having anything under the tree for your children.

The current economic conditions may have some people struggling for the very first time. That's where Christmas Happiness can help.

This will make the 57th year the fund — cosponsored by the Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Department of Social Services — has helped provide Christmas presents for children of qualifying families.

Please bring contributions to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mail them to The Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, N.C. 28145-4639. Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you wish your donation listed.

Beginning balance $4,565

In memory of James Shuping and in Honor of Betty & Dennis Ross, by Terri Shuping Correll $20

In honor of all ladies who serve each Tuesday at Salisbury Rotary Club, by Charity League of Salisbury $500

In honor of Glenna Lingle, Chester and Marie Wall and In memory of Hayden Lingle by Glenn and Sue Wall $100

Billie and Sam Ramsey $100

In memory of John Bame by Sarah Bame $25

Gooodtimers Club of Union Lutheran Church $25

Anonymous $35

In memory of Floyd Coates by Lorene T. Coates $200

Kendall, Hayden and Piper Welch $33

Oasis Book Club $100

In loving memory of our son & brotherÉSeth Zachariah Nance by Brian, Mary, Spencer & Peyton $25

Total for today $1,163

Total to date $5,728

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