Four weeks from tonight, churches will glow with the candlelight, joy and anticipation of Christmas Eve.

Just four weeks.

Between now and then, people have a lot of shopping and wrapping to do. But some families are not sure their children will have anything to unwrap on Christmas morning.

Times are still tight in their households, due to illness, the loss of a job or other circumstances. To parents struggling to pay rent and power bills, Christmas gifts are a luxury— something that can be hard for their children to understand.

You can help share the spirit of Christmas with those children by giving to the Post’s Christmas Happiness Fund, which has been in existence since 1952. After the Post collects the money; the Salvation Army screens applicants and distributes the funds. Families who qualify for help can receive vouchers of $30 per child to provide toys, clothes or shoes.

After starting on Sunday, Christmas Happiness now has $3,578, thanks to the generosity of Post readers. Some are remembering loved ones who shared the holidays with them in years gone by. Others are honoring people they admire. And all are spurred by a desire to help the children.

Thank you for those gifts and for helping to make the Christmas season special.

Contributions to Christmas Happiness may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mailed to Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, N.C. 28145-4639. Please make checks payable to Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed.

Here are today’s gifts:

Beginning balance: $1,620

 

In loving memory of Jane Benton Kale, Mr. and Mrs. Don Benton and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gaskey by Keith and Darlene Kale and Vickie Bean  $100.00