By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Thirty-one. There are just 31 days left until Christmas. It’s a magical time of the year where children rush to their living rooms to see what presents await them. Imagine if there were none. The Salisbury Post-sponsored Christmas Happiness Fund kicks off today and your contributions could put a smile on a bright-eyed face on December 25.

It really is simple. The community makes monetary contributions that are delivered or mailed to the Salisbury Post. The money is counted at the Post and then delivered to the Salvation Army which handles the distribution. Each qualified family receives a $35 voucher for each child 12 or younger for clothes or toys.

Donors can give a gift in memory or honor of someone special. The names are listed each day in the Salisbury Post.

In 1952, Post editor Spencer Murphy found out some Rowan County children would go without Christmas presents that year. He made an emotional appeal to the community asking if they would donate. The residents donated $1,811.41 that first year and, just like that, a 64-year-old tradition was born.

Last year’s donors gave $55,000 to help local children and because of those contributions a total of 1,668 children received something for Christmas.

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.

Today’s contributions are:

All Veterans-Past, Present and Future by Kennedy-Hall Post 106 $100

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.

Christmas Happiness on Facebook