Doris Yost has had an amazing 60th birthday, which her friends and family have helped her to celebrate all month long. As a way of saying thanks, Yost honored them in a way that gives back.

She donated $60 to the Christmas Happiness Fund.

The Christmas Happiness fund provides Rowan County families in need a way to purchase presents for their children. It was started 60 years ago when then-Post Editor Spencer Murphy asked the community to help buy presents for area children in need.

The fund program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which collects contributions. The Rowan County Department of Social Services distributes vouchers to eligible families.

“I’m very thrilled that I’ve been blessed with such good friends. And thought that it would be a nice way to honor them. I definitely love kids and want to think about them having a good holiday,” Yost said.

Well before her birthday actually arrived, friends and family treated Yost to dinners, breakfast and spa services.

Yost, her daughter, Emily, and a friend had breakfast at her favorite restaurant, Sunny Point Cafe in Asheville. She was also given gifts including a stack of envelopes with letters written by friends about the nice things she’s done for them throughout the years.

“That’s how I ended the day. I sat on the couch reading,” she said.

Her birthday celebration will continue into the new year.

“It doesn’t get much better than that. It’s amazing, the people in my life,” Yost said.

This birthday reminded the retired teacher how special she was to those in her life.

Thanks to the generosity of this year’s donors, the fund has now reached the level to serve all who applied for vouchers. That means a happier Christmas for 1,079 families, with 2,669 children.

“The program was a huge success and the streamlined process enabled staff to process applications very efficiently,” said DSS Director Donna Fayko.

Rowan Social Services authorized $65,820.41 in funds to help those children receive Christmas gifts this year, she said.

The distribution process was different this year. The Social Services staff and volunteers helped eligible families complete applications beginning in November, which helped facilitate the voucher process.

In 2011 the fund served 779 families, which included 2,021 children.

Although this concludes the 2012 Christmas Happiness Fund program, any additional money collected this year will help begin next year’s giving.

You can still 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.

Wednesday’s contributions:
In honor of my amazing friends who made turning 60 so much fun by Doris Yost $60

In gratitude of our many Blessings by The Mikkelson’s $100

In honor of the Extraordinary Customer Service Team of McKenzie Sports Products by Kathy and Leon Powell $200

In memory of members that are deceased by Crown In Glory Lutheran $100

In loving memory of Jean Menius, Annie Harrison, Dot Shoaf Leonard, Doris Hysinger, Maxine Everett and Penny Lambert by Wachovia Retired Women $60

In memory of Imogene Perry by Fletcher Perry $100

Rowan Salisbury School Superintendent’s Team $250

In memory of my uncle, Charlie Swink, who died this year at the age of 93 by Harold Poole $50

In honor of Maggie R., Lisa H., Carolina J., Jane C., Peggy P., and Lugene C. for their love of children by Kay M. $50

In loving memory of Blanche, Quillu, Mabel, Margie, Smit, Bud, Marie and Robert $100

In memory of Jim Hurley by Hall and Roselind Steele $100

In loving memory of my sister, Leslie Tucker by Linda and Terry Thomas $50

Anonymous $25
In honor of the doctors, nurses, attendants and friends on the second floor of building 42 at the Hefner Medical Center by the Sam Moore Family $100

In memory of Homer L. Misenheimer, Eric and infant son Misenheimer, Dr. and Mrs. C. E. Brown, Isabelle Kepley, Meb Beaver and Kathrina Wilkerson and in honor of Jane and Allen Kirks, Kelly and Adam Baxter, Matt Kirks, Amy and Josh Buckey and great grandchildren $100

In honor of Charlie, Betsy, Chris, Kerry, Ryan, Tatum and Adam by Denny White $150

In memory of our son, Andrew Jackson Gardner “Merry Christmas” by Mom and Dad $25

In memory of Ann and Paul Karriker, Bill Karriker and Michael Myers by the Andy Gardner Family $25

In loving memory of our parents, Perry Sr. and Exie Crowell and loved ones we have lost: Todd and JC Beachman, James Barber, Phyliss, Cecil and Alton Allman, Betty, Mike and Bob Hartman, Janette Miller, Sonny, Vickie, Auth and Dot Crowell, Jim and Jane, Starke, Bob Safrit, Larry and Rick Kluttz, Ted Boykin and Sonya Graham by Judy Beacham and Sons $100

In memory of Claude and Jean Lyerly and Richard and Lois Henion by Tim, Linda and Drew $100

Hilda and Walt Ramseur $40
In honor of the many people of Salisbury/Rowan County and their generous and giving spirit by Rick and Lisa Painter $100

In honor of our grandchildren, Abby, Ally, Ethan, Ellie, Bailey and Lucas by Buddy and Ann Wilhelm $50

In honor of Mrs. Ruby Ford, Immediate Past President Senior Democrats by Rowan County Senior Democrats $100

In memory of Rev. Lester and Eula Roof by Betty and in honor of my children and their spouses, Debbie and Brad, Lisa and Tony and Jon and Ashley and in honor of my grandchildren, Ray, Mackenzie, Abraham, Camryn, Samuel and Jaxon by Gammie $100

Total $2,235
Running Total $50,820.01

Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.