Generous donors made for a big finish to this yearís Christmas Happiness campaign.
On Friday, more than $4,500 came in, bringing this yearís total to $72,774.27. That was plenty to help everyone who asked.
Last yearís total was $78,255.97 and was the most ever collected in the 60 years of Christmas Happiness.
The Department of Social Services, which administers the fund, said fewer people applied this year because face-to-face interviews, as well as income verification, were required instead of mail-in applications.
Low-income residents who did apply got vouchers worth $25 for each child in their home, up to a maximum of $100 per household. And that means a lot of kids will wake up Christmas morning with something under the tree who otherwise may have gotten little or nothing.
Contributions Friday:
Charles and Carol Salisbury $500
Smith Family Reunion Salisbury Connection in honor of their mother, Lonnie W. Parrish $100
In loving memory of Howard Goodman by Virginia Goodman..$100
In memory of Robert Turner by Robert K. Dockham $20
In memory of My Son-Michael J. Pastor by Kimberly Pastor..$100
Hood Theological Seminary $53
In honor of our children and grandchildren by Jim and Barbara Norman $100
In memory of ěUncle Billî Garvin, Ben and Lib Thompson, My mother-Frances Stanford Cauble, Clay Steele, Mary Woodbury, Floyd Hall, Melvin Bradshaw, Luther Collins, J.W. McIntyre and Michael Myers by Jean Waller $25
In memory of our deceased members by Salisbury International Womenís Club $100
In honor of Matthew Rouzer by employees of Rouzer Motor Parts $25
In loving memory of our sons, Sam Boyd and Randy Wagoner by Norman and Barbara Wagoner $25
In memory of some of my best friends, Leo Wallace, Jr., Lonnie Baker and Joe Bradford by Victor Wallace $200
In honor of Betty S. Cruse and in memory of Charles Cruse by Jack and Peggy Swicegood $50
In honor of Rev. Sandy and Dave Kern of Thyatira Presbyterian Church by James and Ruth Albright $25
In honor of Henry Kluttz and Jim Pope by Jesse Carson High School $687.81
In honor of Harry and Nancy Hipp by Jim and Dawn $100
In honor of our patients and in hopes that all children have something to smile about this Christmas by Busby and Webb Orthodontics $300
In memory of Betty Gore, Lib McCullough and Lucille Moriff by Benny and Phyllis Hendrix …$50
In honor of Granny Rose by Sugar Foot $50
In loving memory of Sheila Hoffmeister by Frank $1,000
Bob Yountís Sunday School Class $100
In memory of Wanda Parson by Store Sales Acct. Food Lion..$20
Thinking of Jimmy by Hen and John $25
In memory of Cody Ludwick by Mike, Linda and Dalton Ludwick $50
In memory of our son, Randall Gore by Steve and Malynda Peeler $25
In honor of Ruth Agner the best Mom, Mom-in-law, Grand Maw Maw and all around angel by Patrick and Linda Broadway $100
In memory and in honor of Family and Friends by Joseph, Janet, Haley and Sydney $100
In honor of Wanda Hall and Debbie Upright by Store Sales Acct. Food Lion $40
In loving memory of my dear friend, Beatrice Blount by Helen Robichaud $25
In memory of Rose Post $100
In memory of Josephine August Tucker by Suzanne Blunk and Lorraine Reidda $150
In honor of our many friends and in lieu of Christmas Cards by Clarence and Ann Bostian $100
In honor of my Wednesday night pool shootiní buddies: Chris Bradshaw, Clay Burleson, Eric Clark, Doug Glasgow, Lonnie Goodman, Jim Hunter, Steve Hunter, Jim Nichols, Henry Smith, Jay Whittington and Bobby Williams by Bob Lewis $50
For a little boy by Michael Robichaud $25
Total $4,520.81
Grand total $72,774.27