Friday is the first day to sign up to receive help from this year’s Christmas Happiness fund.

Folks will line up outside the Department of Social Services building on Old West Innes Street, despite the weather, and wait for hours if necessary.

All to receive a $30 voucher to buy Christmas presents for their child.

We hope there will be enough in the fund’s coffers to handle the first-day applicants. Otherwise, they’ll have to come back a second time if and when the money is available.

As of today, donations are running about $4,000 behind those last year, with just over $16,500 contributed. Divide that by 30 to see how many children it will reach. And how many it won’t.

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, NC 28145-4639. Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you wish your donation listed.

Yesterday’s total $13,693.50

Jim Gobble, Mike and Diane Leazer and patrons of Salisbury Mall $82.05

Spencer Moose Family Center $100.00

Scotch-Ireland Lodge 154 $136.00

In honor of Rowan Tarheels 11 and under and AAU coaches Tracy, Scott, Lee and James, from Tyler Mulkey $100.00

In honor of Jim Foltz, from Roscoe and Faye Giles $25.00

Christian Reid Book Club $100.00

In memory of Mary H. Tate, from Michelle $25.00

In honor of three of Ran’s favorites — Tiffany, John and Andy at Wong’s Restaurant, from Mary Ellen $25.00

In memory of Bob and Doug Pugh, from Marie and Elle $50.00

In honor of Nana, Grandad and Lulu, from Wes, Paul and Sam McNeely $50.00

In memory of Haden Hurley $1,000.00

Molly Lyerly/Daisy Poplin WELCA Group, Union Lutheran Church $20.00

In honor of our inspiration, Carolyn Corl, from Mary Beth Hall WELCA, Christiana Lutheran Church $25.00

Anonymous $100.00

Landis First Methodist Church Missions Fund $50.00

St. Paul’s Lutheran Women $100.00

In memory of Nathan Elrod, a true American hero, from Tim and Deana $25.00

In memory of Connie Safriet, Faye Roberts, Frank Brandt and Paul Goble, from Mr. and Mrs. F. Orthel $50.00

Circle No. 4, First United Church of Christ $50.00

In memory of Todd Kimball, from Lee and Libby Holman $25.00

Janus Book Club $50.00

In loving memory of my dad, Tom Goodnight, from Luellen Masingo $50.00

Anonymous $20.00

In loving memory of our daughter Jena, our parents Ray and Esther Rinehart, Walter and Lena Talley and Gladys Talley, from Spencer and Mary Frances Rinehart $100.00

In memory of Jimmie and in honor of Patty, from the Caspers $100.00

In honor of Grandmama and Pinky. Thank you for taking care of us. Love, Truman and Pauley $10.00

Anonymous $50.00

In memory of Bill, from Marian $100.00

Jim and Nina Burton $100.00

A friend $25.00

In honor of Dr. Ronald Howell Steelman $100.00

Today’s total $16,536.55