?Each year, members of the Rowan County Special Deputies Divison give Sheriff Kevin Auten a gift card, and each year he gives it away to someone in need.
It’s his giving nature that prompted the members to give to the Christmas Happiness Fund in his honor and in memory of his father, Gene.
The fund provides Christmas presents for children who live in low-income households. The program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which accepts donations.
The Rowan County Department of Social Services distributes vouchers to eligible families.
The Special Deputies Division includes reserve officers and special deputies.
“Gene Auten was a super person, always trying to help someone, and it’s instilled in Kevin,” said Bonnie Marsh.
Marsh’s husband and son are part of the division.
“We felt like, let’s honor him this way,” she said.
Marsh noted the sheriff’s work as a mentor to children and in child advocacy.
“He’s really there for everybody,” she said.
The members have given to the fund before and felt it “a worthwhile cause.”
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.

Tuesday’s contributions:
Friends and Followers Sunday School Class Dunn’s Mtn. Baptist Church $50
In honor of Our Family by Clarence Castor $25
Boyden Class of ’55 Lunch Bunch $251
In honor of our Sheriff Kevin Auten and in memory of Gene Auten by Rowan County Special Deputies Division $200
In memory of Elaine Honbarrier by the Abella Girls $60
In memory of Eva Shipton by Eicie Earnhardt/Fred Shipton Sunday School Class of Immanuel Lutheran Church $25
In honor of our friendship by Lonzo, Martha, Ted, Phyllis, Gary, Sylvia, Terry and Beth $100
In memory of Louise Tucker $100
In memory of Eva Sloop by Crawford Sloop $100
In memory of my husband John E. Bame by Sarah Bame $25
In memory of Bob and Doug Pugh by Marie and Elle $50
In memory of Albert and Irma Lackey by Tim and Delores Lyerly $50
In honor of Holly Lackey Overcash and Julie Lackey by Tim and Delores Lyerly $50
In honor of Mary Jo, Celia, Lynn, Jill and Elaine in honor of their generosity and their love of their friends by Nan $45
Providence United Methodist Church Men’s Club $100
In honor of grandchildren, Kaitlyn, McKenize and Chase by David and Peggy Huffman $100
In memory of mothers, Vivian Rice and Maisie McAllister and in honor of father Stanley F. Rice by James and Jacque Rice $100
In memory of Marian and Bill by Jim and Nina $100
In memory of Dr. J. Cullen Hall and Martha Hall Raper by Catherine Hall $200
In memory of deceased member of International Women’s Club $100
In loving memory of Bill and Billy Cohen by Ruby $200
In honor of Dennis, Coleman and Chip $100
In loving memory of Jane Benton Kale and Mr. and Mrs. Donald Richard Benton by Keith and Darlene Kale $50
In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gaskey and Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Foster by Keith and Darlene Kale and Vickie Bean $50
In honor of our teachers Edith Alcorn, Rodney Calloway and Anne Kennedy by Dearborn Isenberg Sunday School Class of First United Church of Christ $50
In loving memory of Lewis J. Alsobrooks by Margaret L. Alsobrooks $25
Bob and Candy $500
Men’s Bible Sunday School Class of Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith $100
In loving memory of Norman Pethel and Binkie Williams and in honor of Doris Pethel and Marcelle Williams by Tim, Becky, Justin, Holly, CJ and Brooks $100
In honor of Katherine Lyerly, Merry Christmas by Group #1 LCW Christiana Lutheran Church $90

Total $3,096
Running Total $20,907.70
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.