Former DSS employee gives to Christmas Happiness Fund in honor of foster families
Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 6, 2014
Carla Mallinson has seen firsthand what it’s like for children to not receive anything for Christmas. She worked for 16 years with the Rowan County Department of Social Services and for much of that time has given to the Christmas Happiness Fund.
She and her husband, Jim, have been giving to the Fund for the last 10 years. Mallinson retired in August as a supervisor for foster home licensing.
“I just admire them so much. These people put their hearts on the line every day and care for these children. They amaze me,” Carla said.
She said to some, a $30 voucher per child may not seem like a lot.
“For these families that have so little; it’s helped out so many families. It’s a marvelous thing, and I hope we can keep doing it,” she said of Christmas Happiness.
Carla quickly fell in love with the foster families and the children, she said.
Carla said she doesn’t miss the stress, but she does miss the children, families and her co-workers.
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 contributions were given:
In honor of Rowan County DSS foster families by Carla and Jim Mallison — $50
In memory of Liz Harrison by Jim Harrison — $100
In honor of David Aycock by Bill and Pat Bassinger — $20
In honor of our SS teachers: Jean, Suzanne and Don by John Wesley SS class Woodleaf Methodist Church — $50
In honor of our teachers: Debbie Miller and Billie Goodman from Arthur Shipton Sunday school class at Immanuel Lutheran Church Rockwell, NC — $50
In memory of Brad Smith by Conan and Georgette Thompson — $100
In honor of Pastor Aldana Allen & family by Providence United Methodist Women — $300
In honor of Rev. S. P. James I. Smith by Eureka Lodge #45 — $100
In honor of Gladys Shue by Phyllis Moysan — $25
In memory of Vic Shive and Cassandra Beaver by the Clines — $100
In memory of Jim Bryant by Gloria Bryant — $25
In honor of our Teachers by Brownie-Fisher class at St Luke’s Reformed Church — $25
In honor of Alda Davies by Robert and Sandra Cobb — $100
In memory of my wife Annette Morgan by Jesse Morgan — $20
In memory of our dear friend Lynn Brunson by Tamara Morgan and Karen Painter — $25
In memory of Joe Ashley by Brenda Ashley — $50
Total $1,140
Running Total $16,702.06
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.
