The annual Christmas Happiness Fund a perfect example of the mission of the United Methodist Women at Grace United Methodist Church. The main focus of the women’s group is conducting missions that impact women and children. The women’s group at the Faith Road church gave a $100 contribution to the fund in honor of their new pastor, Jesse Rogers, whom they say shares the same vision for mission work.

The annual fund helps low-income families provide Christmas presents for their children. The program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which accepts donations. The Rowan County Department of Social Services distributes vouchers to eligible families.

“He has a real heart for missions. That’s something he’s really passionate about,” said group Treasurer Becky Brown.

The women save their money during the holidays to give to various charities, the Christmas Happiness Fund is one of them.

“Christmas Happiness is a way to help locally the children who might not other wise have a Christmas,” Brown said.

The church also supports Rowan Helping Ministries, Rowan Social Services’ One Church One Child program, the Family Crisis Council’s battered women’s shelter.

“We take up donations in lieu of gifts and we donate that to the Salvation Army,” Brown said.

She said the women’s group used to buy gifts for each other. They soon decided they didn’t need anything so they donate the money instead.

On Thursday the women went shopping for a family the group sponsors through the Salvation Army.

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.

Thursday’s contributions:
In memory of two first cousins, Harold L. Carter and Fay Foster Dowell by Walter Dwight Carter and Pauline Carter Deal $150

In honor of Pastor Jesse Rogers by Grace Church United Methodist Women $100

In honor of Dr. Ron Steelman by Angela and Artie $40

In loving memory of my husband Alex by Carolyn Alexander $100

In memory of my mother, Nellie Safrit by Calvin L. Safrit $50

In honor of Harriet-Fisher and Jim Earnhardt Sunday School Teachers for Brownie Fisher Class at St. Luke’s Reformed Church $25

In memory of Remona Thompson, Alvin Waller and Dawn Waller Hair by James and Jean Thompson $150

In honor of my family, Sam, Amie, Claire and Nathan Collins by Sara Turman $50

In memory of the generous spirits of Hayden and Glenna Lingle $200

In honor of my adopted daughter $100

In memory of past members of the Golden Rule Men’s Bible Class of the First United Methodist Church of Salisbury $100

In honor of Rev. Kellie Browne, of John Calvin Presbyterian Church $50

In memory of Lucy by Deacon $25

In memory of friends and family who have passed away this year, Derek Sorrell, Wynn R. Trexler, Bennie Oliver, Doug and Carolyn Moore, Myrtle Cross Barnes, Venessa Duke Allred, Wayne Harkey, Bill Cline, Richard Baity, H.C. Daniel, Lonnie Haynes, “Hub” Baker, Tom McDaniel and Rev. Rick Perry by Davie and Betty Alexander $100

Total $1,240
Running Total $14,400

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.