This Christmas, Bill Anderson and his wife Hazel would’ve celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Hazel died nearly 10 years ago, but each year Bill honors her with a donation to the Christmas Happiness fund.
“I miss her, especially at this time of the year. I loved her dearly,” he said.
The fund, which began in 1952, helps provide presents for children who live in low-income households.
The Christmas Happiness Fund program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which accepts contributions. The Rowan County Department of Social Services distributes vouchers to eligible families.
Bill and Hazel Anderson met while they were students at Boyden High School, now Salisbury High. They both were born and raised in Salisbury.
Hazel was just 17 when they got married. In fact, the couple had to get permission from her parents.
Bill was entering Catawba College under the GI Bill and the two married two months earlier than they’d originally planned. Bill served two years in the Army.
The two always gave to the Christmas Happiness fund, and Bill continues to give in honor of Hazel.
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.

Monday’s contributions:
In memory of Kendra Evans by M Evans $20
In loving memory of my husband, James Ryan Jr., and my sons Mike and Jimmy Ryan by Georgia Ryan $20
In memory of Martha Wall Riley, Caroline Hyler Wall, Charles S. Wall, Bob Wall, and Joseph E. Riley Jr. and in honor of Barbara James Davidson Riley, Suzanne Riley Johnson, Christina Riley Weber, and Catherine Riley Hyer by Joseph Riley $50
Women of the Moose $50
In memory of my dad, Jim Shuping and in honor of our grandsons, Emmett and Owen Correll by Terri S. Correll $25
In memory of George A. Brown by Naomi C. Brown $100
In honor of The “Grands”, Wayne, Jared, and Rachel by Dick & Cheryl Reavis $50
In memory of Clarence & Clara Misenheimer and in memory of John & Flossie Tolley by John & Nell Tolley $40
In memory of my husband Ken Smoot by Betty Smoot $50
In honor of our children and grandchildren by Brent and Ruby Watson $50
In memory of our parents, Calvin and Juanita Woodlief and Pat and Cora Lee Tingen by Bryson and Patsy Woodlief $50
In memory of co-workers at R.W. Normans and other friends, E.E. Lampert, Sr., Ilene Wise, Irene Ritchie, Tripp Lampert, Kathleen Gray, West Spain, Ann Myers, Don Barger, Blanche Lampert, Norman Beaver, Rose Mary Spain, and Maxine Carlton by “Swicy,” “Pocita,” and Pat Beaver $30
In loving memory of Joe Ashley and in honor of Nazareth Children’s Home by Brenda Bame Ashley $100
In memory and in honor of two sisters we lost this year, Alberta Cinquemani and Minnie Burris, these wonderful ladies led bright and honorable lives here on earth and were always very gracious, kind and giving souls by the members of Lambda Master Chapter $50
In memory of Papa and Grandma Helms, Papa Sedberry and Mimi by Vicki and Charles Butler $50
In honor of J.P. and Sally Helms by Vicki and Charles Butler $50
In honor of Jimmy and Anne Wilson by Vicki and Charles Butler $25
In honor of Edith and Don Julian by Vicki and Charles Butler $25
In honor of Bob and Fran Tannehill by Vicki and Charles Butler $25
In honor of Gordon Hurley by Vicki and Charles Butler $25
In honor of our parents, a gift from Rev. Kellie and Richard Browne $500
Salisbury Lions Club $100
In honor of Eliza Beth G. Cook, Chris Verner, and Ronnie Gallagher by Jack and Nancy Bilson $50
In honor of Haven Quilters by Lavon Dockham and Robert $25
In loving memory of Jim, Sue, and Mac Sample and Annette and H.B. Bryan from Sue and Sturges Bryan $100
In memory of Charlie Swink by the Nussman family $50
In memory of our parents Coolidge and Dot Myers and Bill and Ellen Smith by Dale and Kathy Myers $250
American Legion Post #448 $50
In memory of Myrtice and Dimp Roberts by Andy Parnell and Ginny Parnell Mabey $150
In memory of Irvin Parnell, Sr. by Andy Parnell and Ginny Parnell Mabey $75
In memory of Joyce Kneip by Debbie Eller $25
Anonymous $100
In honor of Haileigh, Caroline, Victoria, Natalie, and Sofia by Poppy and Grammy $50
In memory of Mrs. Elaine Kluttz Honbarrier, “4th grade teacher, extraordinaire!” by Kim Fink $50
In memory of Greg and in honor of our Grandchildren, Katie, Ben, Will, Cal, J.T., Heather, and Ashlynn by Jack and Linda Cauble $200
In memory of Mary Starkey and John H. Brown and in honor of Brad, Carrie, Eli, and Brian by Frank and Judy Starkey $200
In loving memory of Ben B. Wagoner and W. Ralph Peeler by Irene Peeler $50
In honor of David and Betty Alexander by Ruth Alexander $100
In honor of grandchildren and great grandchildren, Michelle Williams, Melanie Blackwelder — Grace and Jonathon, Melissa Roberts — Jazmine and Symone, Mollie Parris, Breeann, Hannah by Ruth Alexander $50
In memory of Betty Snider, Lawrence and Mae Snider, Jimme Snider, and Cecil Mulkey by Gene and Nancy $100
In memory of Mothers, Blanche Hefner Mull and Helen Little by Charles and Phyllis Little $100
In memory of Jimmy and in honor of Gerry by Joel and Jayne $50
In honor of the families and memories of all deceased veterans by the Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard $100
In loving memory of my wife, Hazel Anderson. Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary by Bill Anderson $50
In honor and loving memory of all Food Town and Food Lion employees and associates by Lion’s Pride Foundation $100
In memory of Gizmo, Wesley, Squirt, and Lucy and in honor of Tricia, on her birthday December 18th by John, Harry, and Benny $25
Anonymous $100
In memory of Cecil Mulkey by Terry, Sheila, and Tyler $100
In memory of our dog Waldo by R.W and B B Soderberg $50
In memory of Thomas and Mattie Long and Walter and Alice Morgan by Charles, Lillian, and Stephanie Morgan $50
In honor of Breanna and Natalie Lusk by Carl and Mary Repsher $200
In memory of our deceased comrades by J.C. Price American Legion #107 $100
In honor of Mom and Dad, James and Zee Berrfer by John and Becky Peeler Family $100
The Abellas $20
In honor of the readers of The Salisbury Post by Elizabeth Cook $200
In loving memory of our parents, Don and Lois Leonard, Jim L. Bost and in honor of Gilly Bost, Kathryn Earnhardt, and Jack and Minnie Lee Bost by Tom and Rochelle $50
To honor GOD for blessing us with five sweet “Little Grands”; Mason, Cameron, Chase, Thomas, and Lawson by Pop and Mimi Bost $50
In memory of loved ones we have lost by Matt and Melissa Branham, Stephen, Megan, Todd, and Gail Johnston $180
In memory of Joyce Kneip, my sister on her birthday 12/17/56 by Pat Doby $25
Canterbury Book Club $100
In memory of the victims of Newtown by the Featherstons $100
In loving memory of my father, James Ryan and my brothers, Jimmy and Mike Ryan by Kathy Stoessel $20

Daily total $5,030
Running total $45,630.01
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.