By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
ROCKWELL — Sunday school teachers Billy Goodman and Debbie Miller didn’t want a Christmas gift.
Instead, they asked that Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rockwell, spend the money on others.
It’s the same mentality that made Goodman and Miller beloved figures in the church, church member Brenda Rummage said.
“They like to help people,” Rummage said. “Our Sunday school class does that. They knew if it went to Christmas Happiness more people would get help over Christmas.”
This isn’t the first year the Arthur Shipton Sunday School Class teachers asked the church to contribute to the holiday program.
“We do this every year for them,” she said. “They won’t take a gift. They didn’t want any gifts for themselves.”
Contributions collected through Christmas Happiness are given to the Rowan County Department of Social Services to buy gifts for children of low-income families.
When her teachers began asking for the Christmas Happiness donation, Rummage said, they wanted a program that would help children in the area.
“We all feel like we’ve been blessed,” she said. “Maybe we can make somebody else’s day a little brighter.”
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 donations to be listed.
Contributions Monday:
In honor of our Sunday School Teachers: Billy Goodman and Debbie Miller by Arthur Shipton Sunday School Class at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rockwell $50
In honor of our family by Sonny and Nancy Lippard $25
Christian Reid Book Club $100
In memory of my parents, Ott, Sr. and Edna C. Pinkston by Dorothy Pinkston Roddick..$25
In memory of Howard and Doris P. Groff by Dorothy Pinkston Roddick $25
In honor of Everyman’s Bible Class; First Presbyterian Church; Our Leader; Al Hoffman and all our teachers; Jake Alexander, Vick Bost, Bob Harris, Jay Whittington, Dan Williams, Trevor Williams, Jessie Tart, Jim Spiceland, Randy Lassiter and Bob Lewis $100
In memory of Bob McLaughlin, Ned Smith and Ron Brammell by Corriher Grange $111
In memory of Paw Paw Murph by Michael and Melissa $25
In memory of Uncle Ken by Michael and Melissa $25
In memory of Great Aunt Mae by Garrett $25
In honor of Jean L. Ray by Carolyn and Wilbert Lyerly $200
In memory of our parents Nat and Martha Troutman and Clyde and Lala Deal by Raney and Pauline Troutman $200
In memory of Dr. J. Cullen Hall and Martha Hall Raper by Catherine Hall $100
In honor of Cindy and Steve Martin and Family, Starla and Gary Smith and Family, Dena and Don King and Family and Margaret and Dale Basinger and family by Jo and Lanny Fowler..$100
In memory of Cody Ludwick by Sara and Daniel $100
In memory of Kathryn and Lee Poole by Billy Poole and Lamont Poole $25
Anonymous $100
In honor of Robert and Shirley Mosley by Robin and Kevin Hedspeth $50
Merry Christmas to 3 very special neighbors: Helen Gordon, Amy May and Vicky Bennett by Dottie and Chloe $25
In memory of Eric Stephen Brooks by Frankie Adams and Family $100
In memory of Philip Herion by Betty Herion and Children $50
In memory of my husband Glenn H. Parks and in honor of my 6 children and in lieu of Christmas cards to family and friends by Irene M. Parks $100
In memory of Don Evers, Pearl-Dave, Red and Larry Allmon by Mary Evers $50
In honor of Bill Cansler and Jay Kepley by Helping Hands Class of Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church $50
In memory of Everette and Mae Goins by Wayne and Robin Goins $25
In memory of Ted Chapman by Ann Wilson $25
In memory of my loving husband Robert (Bob) Parks by Betty Parks $50
In loving memory of my husband Ray Casey by Carolyn Casey $25
In loving memory of our parents, Bob and Clelia Eakins Myers by Carolyn M. Casey and Family and Robert L. Myers, Jr. and Family $25
In loving memory of our sister, Rosalie Myers Young and her sons Michael and Windsor by Carolyn M. Casey and Family and Robert L. Myers, Jr. and Family $25
In memory of Robert “Bobwire” Parsons by Conan and Georgette Thompson $150
In memory of Sambo, my beloved brother by Cami $20
In memory of Deceased Members of BHS Class of 1959 by Boyden High School Class of 1959 Lunch Bunch $417
In honor of the staff at Rocky River Elementary in Concord (You Rock!) by Susan Keiger.$200
In honor of my great teachers on the 8th grade team at China Grove Middle School by Janssen Keiger $50
Rowan-Salisbury School System’s Superintendency Team $500
In memory of Craig and Kevin Rufty by Bill and Bea Rufty..$50
In memory of my parents Rev. and Mrs. Lester Roof, Sr. and in honor of my grandchildren: Ryan, Mackenzie, Abraham, Camryn, Samuel and Jaxon by Gammie $100
Total $3423
Grand Total $56,270