We closed the gap a little and reached the $30,000 level in Christmas Happiness donations Wednesday.

However, this year’s contributions are still running more than $4,000 behind those on Dec. 14, 2005, and $40,000 behind the 2005 total.

And time is running out.

With Christmas Day falling on a Monday this year, the last day for donations to get used before Christmas is Friday, Dec. 22. Workers at the Department of Social Services will issue vouchers that day to those on the waiting list–provided there is enough money to do that. Their office and the banks will be closed after that.

Don’t delay. Make that miracle happen for the children.

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 $27,238.55

Coffee fund pennies $1.50

In memory of Wayne Bernhardt, from his wife Ganelda Bernhardt and children $150.00

In honor of my Papaw and Mimi Boulware, Love, Jack $25.00

In honor of my Uncle Donnell, Aunt Ashley, Taylor and Tanner Poole, Love, Jack $25.00

In memory of my husband, I.V. Shaver, from Elsie S. $100.00

In honor of Margie Trexler, from Nina Ridenhour and Ruby Mault $20.00

In honor of our granddaughters, Abigail and Anna, from Lee and Cleo Shaver $25.00

In loving memory of our grandson Brenton, from Bill and Lib Myers $100.00

Anonymous $100.00

Anonymous $50.00

In loving memory of our student Patty Burgdoff and in honor of our special second-graders at China Grove Elementary School, from Traci Honeycutt and Judy Higgins $25.00

In memory of William L. Allison $25.00

Merry Christmas from David Morrow and Janet Neigel-Morrow $150.00

In loving memory of Ross Bernard Penley, from his grandchildren $50.00

In memory of Mary Dearborn, from Dearborn Bible Class, First United Church of Christ $100.00

Nelson Hayden Sunday School Class, Second Presbyterian Church $150.00

In honor of the choir and director at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Mount Ulla $25.00

In honor of Overton families, from Overton Student Council $25.00

In memory of Cham and Ruby, Pete and “Mommy,” Spencer and Kitty, Seth and Mary Marshall and in honor of Katherine $50.00

In memory of Franz Merrell, from Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Merrill $25.00

In memory of James G. Hudson Jr., from his family $200.00

Dora Earnhardt Sunday School Class, Faith Lutheran Church $50.00

In memory of Hazelene Cox, from Annie Joe and Bill Ragsdale $50.00

Memorial in honor of Lil Hoffman, from Mr. and Mrs. S.L. Hoffman $50.00

Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith Young Adult Sunday School Class $100.00

In honor of Bill and Carol Comer, from Mary and Ted Blanton $100.00

Anonymous $200.00

In memory of Butler and Dorothy Weddington, from Sue and Lin $50.00

In honor of seven wonderful grandsons: Dallas, Austin, Taylor, Jonathan, Brandon, Clayton and Spencer, from Mee-Maw and Pop-Pop $100.00

In memory of my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Phillips, who taught me to give $50.00

Mary Beth Hall Bible Class, Organ Lutheran Church $25.00

In honor of Vivian Diggs, Jane Faggart, Geraldine Aldridge and Irene Miller, teachers of Adult Sunday School Class, Grace Lutheran Church $25.00

In loving memory of my mother, Virginia W. Davis, from Gladys Dillon $25.00

In memory of Robert Bost, from Sandra, Lanny and children $25.00

In memory of Mimi and Pawpaw Goodman and in honor of Saylor, Sophie, Molly and Sam $100.00

In memory of Mae Staley, from V.E. Queen $25.00

In memory of Lorene Queen, from V.E. Queen $25.00

In memory of our cousin, Lt. Cpl. Nathan Elrod, who fought so bravely for us and our country, from Ryan, Brandon and Colby Smith $50.00

In honor of teachers Linda Lambirth, Joan Cline, Calvin Shaver, Brenda Varnadore and Thelma Barger, from St. Peter’s Blessed Assurance Sunday School Class $50.00

In honor of my children, Mike, Dale, Kathy and Daniel, from Dorothy Myers $50.00

In memory of Jim Goodman, Ben Myers, Eddie Myers and Judy Myers Orrell, from Dorothy Myers $100.00

In memory of W.G. Sally, Tommy Cline and Theo, Lillie Belle and Coolidge Myers, from Dorothy Myers $100.00

Hidden Hut Neighbors $104.00

In honor of Ella Blair, from Hillbilly Hikers $20.00

In honor of office staff at Wallace Realty, from Linda M. Haynes $30.00

In honor of Victor, Lee and Leo Wallace Jr., from Wallace Realty Clerical and Accounting staffs $130.00

I miss your unconditional love Frankie Land, from Steve Land $50.00

Cancer Club $50.00

Today’s total $30,394.05