Alexander family gives to Christmas Happiness in memory of relatives

Published 1:14 am Thursday, December 4, 2014

By Shavonne Potts

In the Alexander residence the holidays were special and decorating for Christmas was always a family event. As an adult Pam Alexander is filled with childhood memories of open house at the family’s Faith home. Her grandparents were a part of those memories and this year she donated to the Christmas Happiness Fund in their memory.

Alexander along with her parents, Sylvia and James, gave to the Fund in memory of Jack and Willie Alexander as well as Glenn and Maggie Holshouser.

“We’ve given the past couple of years, about five,” Pam said.

Growing up it was “Christmas 365 days a year around our house. It was a wonderful time. It involved putting up decorations together,” she said.

When Pam was younger, her grandparents Jack and Willie lived in the house with them as did her great grandmother.

She said their open house events started after one of her grandparents died and the family wanted to do something uplifting so they invited a few friends over. The tradition continued for 13 years and sometimes accommodated 180 people who would drop in for a visit. The drop-in was by invitation and consisted of friends and family.

“They came and enjoyed it with us. That’s what Christmas was all about,” Pam said.
The family hasn’t had an open in two years, but “we are still very big with decorating,” Pam said.

The donations to the Christmas Happiness Fund come from people in the community who earmark their gift in memory or honor of someone. Donations are brought to the Salisbury Post during business hours. The money is then given to the Salvation Army of Rowan County to distribute to eligible families.

The following donations were given:

In honor of Rev. J.W. and Dot Loy by Don and Ginny Schumacher — $100

In memory of Jack and Willie Alexander and Glenn and Maggie Holshouser by James, Sylvia and Pam Alexander — $25

In honor of grandchildren:  Jenna, Cameron, Olivia, Sam and Natalie by Jim and Barbara Norman — $100

In memory of our parents by Larry and Sandra McKenzie — $400

In memory of James and Vivian Rice, Maisie McAllister-Beloved Parents by James and Jacque Rice — $100
In memory of Frankie Gobble — $100
In memory of Remona Thompson, James Thompson, Dawn Hair and Alvin Waller by Jean Thompson — $100
In memory of Poppy, Mama Dot and Mimi and in honor of Haileigh, Caroline, Victoria, Natalie and Scott by Joyce Plyer — $50
In memory of Dick Thurston, Dr. Tom Thurston II and in honor of Susie Thurston by Susan and Joe Sember — $100
Spencer Moose Lodge 2019 — $100
In honor of Greta and Charles Connor — $40
In honor of Macy, Grant, Branson, Brody, Spencer and Clayton by Charles and Gale Hellard — $200
In honor of Papa and HoHo by Amanda — $30
In memory of Grady Howard by Barbara Howard — $100
In honor of Amanda by Hoho and Papa — $50
In honor of our teacher, John Wyatt by Providence UMC Church Adult Sunday School Class — $200
Primetimers of First United Church of Christ — $100
Total $1,895
Running Total  $12,478
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 Walker at 704-797-4253.

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