Christmas Happiness Fund provides gifts for nearly 1,000 Rowan County children

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, December 25, 2018

By Shavonne Potts

Illustration by Mark Brincefiled.

SALISBURY — Contributions from the community made it possible for this year’s Christmas Happiness Fund to provide gifts for almost 1,000 children in Rowan County.

The number is fewer than last year, which provided Christmas presents for about 1,400 children, said Rowan County Salvation Army Capt. Karl Dahlin.

Some of the reasons for the lower number is that unemployment is down and the application process began earlier, but organizers also added a day to the campaign.

Dahlin said on the final day of the application process, not that many people had applied. But he said those who showed up were served.

One woman was unexpectedly taking care of her grandchildren after her daughter was sentenced to jail. She told Dahlin she was blessed to get presents for her grandchildren because she had no way of providing them herself.

Dahlin said he was initially worried that the fund would not meet the need this year, and he was surprised when enough money was raised.

“It came in above and beyond,” he said.

Any contributions made to the Christmas Happiness Fund today and in the days to come will help start the program for next year.

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 memory of my mom and dad, Betty and Jim, and in honor of our four grandsons, Emmett and Owen Correll and Jack and James Schnepper, by Teri Shuping Correll, $100

In loving memory of my granddaughter, Tiffany Nicole Day, by Cornelia Day, $25

In memory of Martin Shotzberger, $100
In memory of my parents, Carl and Ada Sharpe, and my husband, James L. “Jim” Cody, by Sandra S. Cody, $50
In memory of deceased members by Salisbury International Women’s Club, $100
In memory of Gigi Stiller by Mother, $25
In memory of John and Catherine Kirk and in honor of Mary Ann, Johnny, Margie, Cathy, Rita, Betty and Jay by Joesph Kirk, $25
In memory of John E. Ramsay, Jean Anne Ramsey and Frank L. Saunders Sr. and in honor of Kathryn Saunders by Frank and Anne Saunders, $100
In loving memory of Irvin and Melba Parnell by Ginny P. Mabey and Andy Parnell, $150
In loving memory of Dimp and Myrtle Roberts by Ginny P. Mabey and Andy Parnell, $150
In memory of my husband, Dr. W. Smith Kirk, and my son, Dr. Bill Kirk, by Lois Kirk, $500
In memory of David Goodman, Scot Rierson, Patrick Virtue and John O. Reynolds III by family and friends and thanks to and best wishes to Beffie Cook, “good job,”  $250
In honor of Dr. Thompson, Dorton, Elfersy and Kaufmann and present and past staff at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose and Throat Salisbury office; thanks by Patsy and Ozzie Reynolds, $100
The Wednesday YaYas, $75
In loving memory of Capt. Ed Antosek, MC, USN, “Big Doe,” from the Greenland and McCormick families, $20
In loving memory of Col Doug Black, USMC, from the Greenland and Sturkey families, $20
Today’s total: $1,790
Running total: $44,558.31

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