It may be rainy instead of snowy, but this is turning out to be quite a Merry Christmas for Christmas Happiness and the children who benefit from it.

That also goes for those of us at the Department of Social Services and the Post who channel your generosity to where it’s most needed.

What seemed to be a bleak outlook earlier in the week has turned into a record-breaking campaign in the Christmas Happiness fund’s 55th year. Daily donations Friday topped $10,000 for the second time this week.

And that pushed the 2006 total to $73,045.31, more than $3,000 higher than the 2005 total, which was a record.

With the Post, DSS and the mail closed until Tuesday, any late contributions will be listed next week.

But rest assured, anything now is just the icing on the Christmas Happiness cake. You’ve made a lot of miracles happen for the children and adults who care about them.

Yesterday’s total $62,311.31

In memory of Brenda Osborne, Rosenell Holmes and Lib McCullough and “to Rosie from Sugarfoot” $100.00

Staff of Rowan Public Library $200.00

In memory of Johnny McClamrock and in honor of Sarah McClamrock, from Paris and Nancy Goodnight and family $25.00

In loving memory of my daddy, Carl Jr., and mother, Hallie Goodnight, who was the essence of God’s love. We miss you so much. From Kitty G. and Tony Harris $50.00

In honor of Mary Messinger, Dyke Messinger and family, from Bonnie Dunphy $25.00

Power Curbers Inc. $1,000.00

In honor of church musicians at St. James Lutheran Church, Rockwell $25.00

In honor of the staff and students of North Rowan Middle School, from Kim Turbyfill $25.00

In honor of the staff and students of Hanford Dole Elementary School, from Dr. Ron Turbyfill $25.00

In honor of the faculty and staff of South Rowan High School, from Ron and Kim Turbyfill $25.00

In honor of Carroll Custom Homes Inc., from Keith and Janet Carroll $4,000

In honor of Karen Kneip and Suzie Dinse, from Joynt Camp $50.00

In honor of Charles Wilhelm. You’ll never be forgotten. From the Gang $86.00

In memory of a blessed Christian and in honor of Elenor and Jack Brownell, Ernest and Frances Fritz $250.00

For Meredith, Zachary and Boone Davis, from “Gammy” $30.00

In memory of Lakeina Francis, from Randy and Sara Gettys $100.00

In memory of Bobby Ribelein, 12-16-82, and Johnny Fogner, 2-27-90, from Randy Vanhoy $40.00

In honor of Bob and Arva Thomas, from their travel friends $25.00

In honor of John Whitfield, from “your friend” $25.00

In loving memory of my son, Jeffrey, from Myrna Crocker $25.00

In honor of Bill Godley, from employees at Godley’s Garden Center $115.00

In memory of Dermot Weaver, Ned Norris and Mark Norris, from Eric, Kathy, Erin, Kristen and Jonathan $50.00

Thank you, God, for our children, Dominic and Maria, from Sylvia and David $30.00

In memory of Mark Miller, Blake Robinson and Michael Misenheimer and in honor of the employees of McKenzie Sports Products Inc., from Wanda Mills $100.00

Anonymous $50.00

In memory of our parents, from Larry and Mildred $40.00

In loving memory of my husband, Bill Oddie, and in honor of my daughter, Judy Oddie Jones, from Doris C. Oddie $25.00

In honor of our teachers, from Hannah and Anne Claire Thompson $100.00

In honor of the employees of Power Curbers Inc., from Dyke and Deborah Messinger $500.00

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas, from VFW Ladies Auxiliary and Bingo Group Post 3006 $250.00

Paul and Beth Woodson and Vogue employees $100.00

In honor of Don Stout, from Boyden High School Class of 1954 $140.00

In honor of all our wonderful friends in Forest Ridge, from Mark and Rhonda Presson $25.00

In memory of Joyce Casper, from Frances and Doxie $25.00

In memory of our fathers, C.G. Wise and B.F. Pinkston, from Gary and Betty Pinkston $100.00

Temple Israel $38.00

In honor of Sylvia Jane Powell for her dedication to our family, from Arnold (A.D.) Powell $500.00

In honor of the pathology team of Dr. Rachel Ross, Dr. James Cervine, Dr. Leslie Sierra-Renten and Dr. Joel Webber, from RRMA laboratory staff $187.00

In honor of our teachers at Woodleaf Elementary: Miss Davies, Mrs. Reep, Miss Nelson and Mrs. McNeely, from Robbie and Caroline Monroe $40.00

Textile Products Inc. $81.00

In memory of our loving son, Douglas E. Fleming, from Brenda and Baxter Fleming $25.00

Merry Christmas to the North Rowan Elementary faculty and staff, from Rick Hampton, Angela Connolly and Mike Mobley $60.00

City of Salisbury Technologies Services $126.00

Anonymous $60.00

Eileen and Edward Hanson-Kelly $50.00

Leslie Heidrick $100.00

To the Glory of God, from Bennie and Loretta Warner $50.00

In honor Bill and Nancy Stanback, from Hall and Roselind Steele $100.00

Cloninger Ford-Toyota $1,000.00

In honor of Cali Proper, from Julie Kenny $5.00

In honor of all the caretakers of lost and abused animals, from D. Carpenter’s fourth-grade at Overton Elementary School $30.00

In honor of Brian Barringer, David Preslar and Cam Ritchie, from Christian Eller $25.00

In honor of Cindy Misenheimer, principal, and Greg Ball and Dean East, assistant principals, from the faculty and staff of West Rowan Middle School $100.00

In honor of Jason, Jamie, Jessica, Joshua, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Cassidy and Madison $100.00

Salisbury-Rowan Community Service Council staff members $100.00

In honor of our special friends Carolyn and Gordon Hurley, from Pierce and Michael Ogden $25.00

In honor of Paul, Lynn and Meredith Weisler. Love, The Ogdens $25.00

In memory of Armelda Coates and Ernie Peoples, from Mark and Diane Peoples $25.00

In honor of the best fraternal lodge in Rowan County–The Salisbury Elks Lodge 699, from Mike Jones $101.00

Today’s total $73,045.31

An earlier donation should have been listed as follows:

In honor of Mimi and Pap, from Miles and Will $20.00