CHINA GROVE — Terry Diffenderfer says her late mother would be thrilled that her leftover pocketbook money is helping children at Christmas.
When former China Grove beautician Bea Fish died in July, Diffenderfer began to clear out and sort through her mother’s belongings.
She said she found cash in Fish’s purses and knew her mother would want it to be donated.
“I took all of the money out of her pocketbooks and donated it to the church and the Christmas Happiness fund,” Diffenderfer said. “She kept saying she wanted me to do something with her stuff. … This just seemed appropriate.”
Money collected through Christmas Happiness is given to the Rowan County Department of Social Services to buy gifts for children of low-income families.
“I think she would be thrilled,” Diffenderfer said. “She would have liked that.”
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 Tuesday:
Friday Night Bridge Club $185
In honor of our grandson, Jason Miguel by Davie and Charlotte Hall $50
In honor of Lawson, Trevor, and Luke by Mom and Dad $20
In honor of Autumn Care’s administrator, Glenn Terry by Gina S, Gina Mc, Kim, Lisa, and Laurie $120
Autumn Care staff $75
In honor of great grandchildren, Madison and MacKinly by Linda and Jack Cauble $25
In memory of baby Greg and in honor of grandchildren, Katie, Ben, Will, Cal, J.T., Heather, and Ashlynn by Jack and Linda Cauble $200
In memory of grandparents, Mark and Catherine Lyerly and Gene Goodman and my uncle, Steve Stallings, who are no longer with us to celebrate Christmas by Gaston M. Goodman $50
In loving memory of my beautiful wife Hazel Anderson. Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary by Bill Anderson. $50
In memory of Cecil Mulkey by Terry, Sheila, and Tyler $100
In loving memory of my husband John Joseph Maloney and my brother, Eugene Stephen Kelley by Patricia Maloney. .$25
In honor of our Sunday school teachers by Peeler-Wood Sunday School Class Wittenberg Lutheran Church. $500
In honor of Al Hoffman and Alice Purcell by Everyman’s Bible Class-1st Presbyterian Church $300
In memory of Polly Ritchie by Robin Seropian $20
In honor of our teacher, Pastor Clarence Derrick by Brooks Fisher Peeler Sunday School Class St. John’s Lutheran Church $257
In memory of MiMi and Pawpaw Goodman and in honor of Saylor, Sophie, Sam, Molly, Ella, and Graham by Norde and Kay Wilson $100
In memory of Phil Bernhardt, Gilbert Bernhardt, David Deese, Glenn Tyson, and Dr. Donald H. Lomax by Vernon Bernhardt $100
In memory of a wonderful husband and father, Al Boulus, by Thelma Boulus, Michael Boulus, Sandy and Dan Flowe, and all the grandchildren $50
In honor of Dale and Gayle Keiger by Kevin and Susan Keiger $200
In memory of four wonderful ladies, Betty Parker, Scotty Thomas, Rose Post, and Louise Tucker by Dr. Bethany Sinnott $50
In loving memory of Jean Menius, Annie Harrison, Dot Shoaf, Doris Hysinger, and Penny Lambert by Wachovia “Retired” Women $25
In loving memory of Mary Jo Benfield by the Jerry Allman family $25
In honor of Betty F. Yates by your son $100
In memory of Buck Hurley by Ronald and Betty Bostian $500
In memory of Gilbert Bernhardt and “Alkie” Fink by Cliff and Marian $25
In honor of our new great-granddaughter, Riley DylanLane and our granddaughters, Katie, Kayla, Kimber, and McKenna by Cliff and Marian.. $25
In remembrance of our service people, may GOD bless you this season and many, many, many more and make each one better than the ones before by Tommy, Juanita, and Boo-boo ..$20
In memory of Elizabeth Wilson, Jim, Marvin, Clyde, and Glenda by John Kirkman $40
In memory of Pete and Wilma Varnadore by Kathy Varnadore $100
In memory of Mac and Bill and in honor of Carolyn and Family by Janette MacDonald $100
In lieu of Christmas cards by Dale and Betty Boger $100
In honor of students and staff at Salisbury Academy by Diane Freeman $50
In memory of Claude and Jean Lyerly and Richard and Lois Henion by Tim, Linda, and Drew $100
In memory of A.L. “Chick” Collins by Mildred and Joel Collins $25
Anonymous $50
In loving memory of my father, James Ryan, and my brothers, Jimmy and Mike Ryan, by Kathy R. Stoessel $20
In loving memory of Leslie Tucker by Terry and Linda Thomas $50
In honor of Katie and Frank by Katie and Frank $100
Rock Grove United Methodist Church $260
In loving memory of Frank H, and Florence Basinger by Janis B. and Mike Eury $25
In honor of all veterans, past and present by Kennedy-Hall American Legion Post #106 $100
In memory of Dimp and Myrtice Roberts by Ginny P. Mabey, and Andy Parnell $150
In memory of Irvin Parnell, Sr. by Ginny P. Mabey, and Andy Parnell $75
In memory of Michael Daniel and in honor of Payton Karns by Delores Daniel $25
In loving memory of Ben B. Wagoner and W. Ralph Peeler by Irene Peeler .$50
In memory of William A. Anderson, Faye W. Anderson, and Susan Anderson of Gainesville, Fla., and in honor of Stan and Melinda Anderson, Candace Koester and Lynn Williams, Deborah Anderson and Crosby Hunt, Tasha Anderson, Saylor, McKinley, Haven McKinley, Tamara Anderson Barber and Randy Barber, Emmy Barber, Anderson Barber, Lucas Hunt, Susan Hunt, Erin Gardner and Menashe Gardner, Liam Gardner, Finn Gardner, Ian Hunt, Ryman Koester, Connor Anderson, and Sophie Anderson by Greg and Melanie Anderson $100
Total $4,817
Running total $61,087