Holiday season begins with Christmas Happiness kickoff

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
This is the day we gather together with loved ones to give thanks for the blessings in our lives, and though the poor economy may have us struggling or worried, we all have blessings.
Being able to read these words is a blessing. There are those among us who are blind.
There are those among us who are unable to walk.
There are those among us who are sick and dying.
There are those among us who are hungry.
There are those among us who cannot afford gifts for their children at Christmas, and the rest of us can help them by contributing to the 57th annual Christmas Happiness fundraiser co-sponsored by the Salisbury Post and the Rowan County Department of Social Services.
The economy was flourishing in 1952 when Christmas Happiness started. In his State of the Union address that year, President Harry Truman said the country’s economic conditions were good.
“There are 61 million people on the job,” he said. “Wages, farm incomes and business profits are at high levels. Total production of goods and services in our country has increased 8 percent over last year ó about twice the normal rate of growth.”
Even then, though, there were enough people down on their luck to inspire Mrs. Paul Donnelly, chief of the County Welfare Office, to approach then Post editor Spencer Murphy about raising money to help buy food, shoes, clothing and perhaps even a new toy for children of struggling parents.
Murphy, who had a soft heart for people in need and a special
tender spot for children, responded with an editorial headlined “Help.” That
first year, $1,801 was raised to help 600 children in 250 families.
Last year, $75,927.12 was raised to help 905 families and 2,056 children.
Sandra Wilkes, director of the Rowan County Department of Social Services,
said the number of families needing help this year is likely to be much higher due to the current economic conditions.
“Our food assistance and Medicaid rolls have increased so much over the last few months,” she said, “again because of the economy, and many of our newest recipients will likely be applying for Christmas Happiness.”
Applications are being handled differently this year to make it more convenient for people to receive Christmas Happiness vouchers for gifts for their children. Those who are already receiving public assistance through Work First, the food assistance program or Family/Children Medicaid only have to call their caseworker and request Christmas Happiness over the phone.
“The caseworker has access to all the clients’ information on computer,” Wilkes said, “so it should be very easy to process their request. If found eligible, the caseworker will mail out a voucher to the client.”
For people who do not receive public assistance, they may complete a mail-in application, copies of which will be available at the Rowan Department of Social Services, Salisbury Post, Rowan Public Library and the Rowan County Health Department. Applications will be available in both English and Spanish.
Wilkes said they also hope to have the application ó in both languages ó on the department’s Web site.
Phone calls and mailed-in applications will be accepted for 11 working days, from Dec. 1-15. In the past, Wilkes said people applying for Christmas Happiness vouchers had to stand in line to complete applications. “We did not have space in our conference room for everybody to get in at one time,” she said, “so they were waiting outside in the cold. I never liked seeing them have to do that.
“This year, there will not be long lines and people will not have to use their gas money or pay someone to bring them to Social Services. The Christmas Happiness program should not cost folks anything.”
Families who are determined to be eligible will receive vouchers in the mail for $30 per child up to a maximum of $120 for four or more children. Vouchers can be used at Magic Mart or the K-Mart stores in Salisbury, Concord or Statesville.
Eligibility is based on the following income requirements: a maximum gross monthly income for two in the home, $1,750; three, $2,200; four, $2,650; and five, $3,100. Children must be under age 18 to be eligible.
“If the family is getting assistance from a church or another organization,” Wilkes said, “we do not want to duplicate that. We have some carry-over funds from last year’s campaign and will use that plus whatever is donated this year up to the last day we can mail out a voucher, probably the 22nd at the latest.”
Many Post readers have made contributing to Christmas Happiness their own annual tradition. It’s a way to honor or remember loved ones with a tangible gift.
School kids pool their ice cream money to make class donations. The pennies are greatly appreciated and add up quickly.
The Post will run a list of donations on the front page of the paper Tuesday-Saturday of each week until Christmas Day. Once again, the Post is kicking off the 2008 fund with a $1,000 donation. It and other early donations are listed below.
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.
The Salisbury Post ………………………….. $1,000
In honor of Linda Braswell, my “Secret Service Agent.” Thank you for everything. I Love You given by Susan…… $50
In honor of all Food Lion Associates given by Lion’s Pride Foundation….. $100
Circle #4 First United Church of Christ….. $50
In honor of Chloe Rebhan given by Aunt Roberta….. $25
In memory of Peggy Coble and Nancy Burge given by Pat Epting, Peggy Smith, Claudette Barger, Nan Graeber, Stewart Earnhardt and Barbara Sims….. $120
The Steppin’ Out Club….. $50
In memory of Donald E. and Timothy J. Sunding given by Betty Sunding….. $200
Clarence Peoples….. $460
National Starch & Chemical Foundation….. $750
In memory of Haden Hurley given by the J.F. Hurley Foundation….. $1,000
Today’s total $3,805