Christmas Happiness Dec. 15, 2009

Illustration by Mark Brincefield, Salisbury Post

Donations to Christmas Happiness are down nearly 20 percent from last year at this time and more than 41 percent from the year before that.

At this point in 2007, on the corresponding Tuesday, the fund had collected $48,491.

In 2007, it had $34,975.

Today, it stands at $28,297.

That's the bad news. The good news is that Christmas is 10 days away and Post readers still have time to support Christmas Happiness.

All donations go to the Rowan County Department of Social Services, which distributes the funds to qualifying families. The vouchers are to be spent on items for children in the family.

The families get $25 per child, or a maximum of $100. Twenty-five dollars may not be enough to purchase a bike, but it could buy a few toys, a warm coat or new shoes. Many children are lacking the bare essentials this year.

Please help Christmas Happiness reach as many children as possible.

Please make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you wish your donation listed.

Donations may be mailed to Christmas Happiness, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, N.C. 28145-4639.

Or they may be dropped off at the Post at 131 W. Innes St. between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Last total $27,032.25

In honor of the YMCA walking girls, by Mary Hipp............$50

In honor of Dot Loflin, from the Wesley Sunday School Class, North Main Street United Methodist Church..............$15

In honor of our friends in Milford Hills, from Chuck and Liz Friedrich..........................$150

In memory of Buck Hurley...$500

From the Ann Kreps Circle of Mt. Hope Church......$70

In honor of Linda Lambirth, Sue Misenheimer, Carol Kluttz, Thelma Barger, Keith Holshouser, Brenda Varnadore and Joan Cline, from the Blessed Assurance Sunday School Class of St. Peter's Lutheran Church.......................$100

In memory of Helen Little and in honor of Blanche Mull, from Phyllis and Charlie Little....$100

In memory of Mrs. Sally Bullock.........$50

In honor of Lawson, Luke and Trevor, from Mom and Dad..................................$50

In memory of my parents, Harold Poole Sr. and Virginia Swink Poole, from Harold Poole Jr............... $50

In memory of AHC...........$30

In honor of the Dinner Bunch: John and Peggy Carter, Harry and Pat Cooke, Hoyt and Gwen Pope and Mike and Ebbie Whisenant, by George and Blanche Glover..........$100

Today's total $1,265

Total to date $28,297.25