The Christmas season is marked by bright lights, the soft scent of evergreens and the giving of gifts. It’s during this time of year that people show their appreciation for family and friends and put others first.

Perhaps Dr. Seuss put it best, in the beloved Christmas tale “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

“It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. … Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Many in the Salisbury-Rowan County area have formed their own gift-giving tradition: Christmas Happiness. Each year, these families incorporate the needs and happiness of others into their Christmas traditions.

The Christmas Happiness Fund has been ongoing since 1952 after an appeal from Salisbury Post editor Spencer Murphy. He asked residents to dig into their wallets and purses to help some children have a happier Christmas. The donations rolled in and, to this day, have continued.

Every eligible family receives a voucher for each child to purchase toys or clothing.

Some have been giving since Christmas Happiness first began. Some give every year in memory of a loved one who has passed on or in honor of their children in the future.

Whatever the reason, the Christmas spirit truly lives on in those who think of others this holiday season, and they make Christmas, perhaps, mean a little bit more.

Those interested in making Christmas Happiness part of their tradition can bring contributions to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mail them to 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 want your donation listed.

Today’s contributions and totals are:

• Peripatetic Reviewers Book Club, $100
• Charles Buckley, $100
• In loving memory of Bill and Billy by Ruby Cohen, $200
• In honor of my wonderful family and in memory of my husband, Col. Tommy Trexler, by Frances Trexler, $1,000
• In  memory of Katie H. Morgan, $50
• In loving memory of Sue L. Clark by Joe G. Clark Sr. and family, $100
• In lieu of Christmas cards to family and friends by Rick and Carol Leonard, $100
• In honor of our friendship by Lonzo, Martha, Terry and Beth, $50
• In memory of Margaret Kirk by P.J. and Geneva Kirk, $100
• Tuesday Lunch Bunch: Vicki, Linda, Phyllis, Karen, Helen and Shirley, $60
• In memory of Richard L. Conrad and in honor of Phillip and Melissa Conrad and Taylor and Lindsey Conrad by Carolyn C. Conrad, $100
• In memory of Jay and Bill and in honor of Peggy by Stephen and Martha Thackery, $30
• In memory of Evelyn Ballard, Jack Simmons, June Rives, Leo Miller, Bill Poplin, Wayne Pickler, “Churck” Wingerson, Shelia Edwards, Sue Clark, Walter Morrison, Leona Bennett, Nancy Clark and Jeff Beck by David and Betty Alexander, $500
• In memory of Ott, Sr., and Edna Caspter Pinkston by Dorothy Pinkston Atkinson $50
• In honor of Ott Jr. and Julie S. Pinkston by Dorothy Pinkston Atkinson, $50

Today’s total: $2,590

Running total: $5,850