By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Vicky Buchanan died 15 years ago, but her memory still lives on in her sorority sisters of the Laureate Alpha Pi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, an international service sorority.

“We give every year in memory of Vicky. She was one of those people you could always count on no matter what you needed,” said member Penny Rice.

The sorority gave this week to the Christmas Happiness Fund in memory of Buchanan. The money raised through the fund provides Christmas gifts for local families. It was started over 60 years ago by then-Post editor Spencer Murphy.

Buchanan had two sons whom she was very proud of, Rice said. Unfortunately, Buchanan died before her sons had children.

“They both turned out to be wonderful young men,” Rice said.

Buchanan grew up in Rowan County and attended West Rowan High School.

“We just like to be able to give to the local community and that’s what we do with most of the fundraisers we do,” Rice said.

She said the sorority has a number of local organizations they give to including the Terrie Hess Child Advocacy Center, the Rowan Humane Society and Faithful Friends.

Contributions 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, NC 28145-4639.

Today’s contributions are:

In honor of our grandchildren; Jason, Miguel and Savannah by Charlotte and David Hall — $25

In honor of my traveling buddies; Libby, Toni and Jane by Charlotte Hall — $25

In memory of our son Randall Gore by Steve and Malynda Peeler — $25

Road Runners Club of America — $500

In loving memory of my father James Ryan and my brothers Jimmy and Mike Ryan by Kathy R. Stoessel — $25

In memory of the Bluegrass Drummer – Bobby Martin by Anonymous — $50

In memory of Lee Russell by Cindy and Kirkley — $100

In honor of Elizabeth Cook, Nan Martin and Danny at JR’s Truck and Auto Repair by Lindsay and Mark Wineka — $100

In memory of Vicky Buchanan by Laureate Alpha Pi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi — $50

Rock Grove United Methodist Church — $191

In honor of our neighbors on Lillian Circle in Salisbury, Merry Christmas by Dana and Jan Samuelson — $25

Total — $1,116

Running Total — $42,768.31

Correction: In memory of Minnie Grabowski and Gerrie Butler, charter members, by the Rowan Red Hats Stephanie Fesperman, Maria Lowery, Gloria Rabon, Dianne Hill, Patsy Barringer, Lena Sellers, Laverne Thompson and Betty Zimmerman — $80

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.