Group of friends give to Christmas Happiness in lieu of gifts to each other
Published 12:55 am Tuesday, December 2, 2014
It’s been a while since Beth and Terry Walton have gotten together for dinner at their cabin with good friends Lonzo and Martha Arey and Ted and Phyllis Barnes. The longtime friends have shared dinners, and two of the couples attend the same church.
This year the three couples donated to the Christmas Happiness Fund instead of exchanging Christmas gifts.
“We’ve known them for years, and my husband is kin to Phyllis and he has hunted with Lonzo,” Beth said.
She said the group have been giving to Christmas Happiness for a number of years. They all agreed to donate one year when they came to the conclusion they didn’t need any gifts. The group thought why not “pool our money and give to the Christmas Happiness Fund,” she said.
All of the couples live in the same community and Ted and Phyllis attend the same church as the Waltons. Terry and Lonzo have breakfast together with a few of their other hunting buddies every morning, Beth said.
Beth said she and her husband have known Lonzo almost as long as they’ve been married.
“We realize it’s not a large amount, but it’s nice to give something to help somebody else,” she said.
Christmas Happiness donations are given by the community and dropped off at the Salisbury Post. The money is then given to the Salvation Army of Rowan County to distribute to eligible families. The families receive a $30 voucher per child.
The following donations were given:
In memory of Dyral Fessler by Donna Fessler $100
In honor of Jennie Slater and The Fessler Family of NC by Donna Fessler $100
In honor of our teachers, Carl Eagle, Theresa Safrit and Pastor Safrit by Messiah Lutheran Church Adult Sunday School Class $100
Bob and Candy $500
In memory of Gladys VanPoole and Mary Ruth VanPoole by Becky Auten, Kevin Auten, Kim Smyth and Kelly Powlas $50
In memory of my wife, Margaret and all the relatives and friends in Rowan County whom we have temporarily lost by Phil Kirk of Raleigh, N.C. $100
In memory of Jimmie Loyd Young by his wife, Jo (Tot) Young and his children, Steve Young, Roxanne Young Wiggins and Debbie Young Childress $25
In memory if Kin Smoot by Betty Smoot $50
In memory of Alicia Catherine Sienerth and Marshall Anthony Sr. by Granny $25
In lieu of Christmas Cards to family and friends by Rick and Carol Leonard $100
In memory of Dr. William Smith Kirk and Marie Britt Drury by Ralph and Julia Baker $100
In memory of Dewey and Julia Miler by Judy Miller $20
In memory of Melvin K. Morgan by Betty Morgan and Family $100
Sheila and Deal $25
In honor of our friendship by Lonzo, Martha, Ted, Phyllis, Beth and Terry $75
Total for the day $1,470
Running total $8,258
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.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.
