By Liz Moomey

liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Peggy K. Moon began giving to Christmas Happiness as a upper classman in high school.

At 67, Moon continues to donate what she can year after year. One year, she was on a ventilator and her family ensured a donation to Christmas Happiness. Suffice to say, nothing has prevented her from donating, with her saying “you always have to believe in Santa.”

This year, she gave in memory of her husband Boyd Moon and her parents Bill and Melda Killion, with a note that said, “Miss you every day.”

Boyd was an electrician and had a small company. They were married for 33 years and together for 38 years. Boyd got sick and died while waiting for a new set of lungs. 

Peggy’s mother was a school teacher at East Rowan and West Rowan high schools. Her father was a traveling salesman. Melda passed away in 1996, and Bill passed away in 2014.

Peggy said she donates to make sure kids get something good for Christmas.

“It doesn’t take much to give a little bit,” she said. “I just give something so that every kid has a happy Christmas.”

She said donating to Christmas Happiness is something she will continue every year.

Meanwhile, Barbara Corriher and her family donated in memory of her father Joe Ivan Sims and “given in loving memory by his family.”

Because there was a lot of Joes in the family, he was known as Joe Ivan and later called “Pop I.” Joe Ivan had four children, with Corriher being the oldest. He also had 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, with more to come later.

The money of the family’s donation came through a game called Left Center Right. Corriher was first introduced to the game by Selia Jarrett at a St. John’s Lutheran Church retreat with a twist with money.  So at their Thanksgiving celebration, the family played, “gambling for good.” The rule was, with all the money in the pot, they must do something good with it. They chose Christmas Happiness, to which her family had donated to for years.

“You don’t want to see any children who are going without,” she said. “We want everyone to have a Merry Christmas.”

They played one round, collecting $101, and donating it to the fund. The game had more than 20 people from four generations, from 85-year-olds to 3-year-olds. Corriher said they enjoyed playing together and cutting up.

Corriher said her grandparents Hester and Joe Sims Hester were generous and have passed their generosity down.

Corriher said Joe Ivan Sims would be “very, very pleased” about their donation. She said he never wanted a present for Christmas or for his birthday, but instead a donation to a charity.

The Christmas Happiness Fund is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which collects contributions. The Salvation Army of Rowan County distributes gift cards. Each day, readers send donations to the Post, often with a heartfelt tribute to a loved one, and the Post lists the names and amounts in the paper.

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 donations are:

• In honor of Kali, Wayne, Caison and Saylor June Reavis, Rachel Reavis and Jared Rhoden by Dick and Cheryl Reavis, $35

• In memory of Rosemary M. Kellner by Cherly Reavis, $35

• In memory of Ray E. Hollowell by Libby Hollowell, $50

• In loving memory of my husband, Boyd Moon and my parents, Bill and Melda Killion, miss you everyday by Peggy Moon, $50

• In honor of my girls: daughter, Heather Broome, granddaughters, Alexis Locklair and Brittany Lynch and great-granddaughter, Blake Lockair, love you bunches Momma/Grandmommy/Nana, $50

• In memory of Papa and Grandman Helms, Papa Sedberry and Mimi from Vicki and Charles Butler, $50

• In memory of J.P. Helms from Vicki and Charles Butler, $50

• In memory of Libby Helms Hoffmire from Vicki and Charles Butler, $50

• In honor of Sally Helms from Vicki and Charles Butler, $50

• In honor of our fellow “Winged Footers” from Charles and Norma Goldman, $25

• In loving memory of Kevin Smarr by his Mom, $100

• Women of the Moose, $50

• In honor of the Shut In’s of Christiana Lutheran Church from The Miss Katherine Lyerly LCW Circle, $50

• In memory of our two latest members of The Rowan Red Hats Society that passed, Minnie Grabowski and Geri Butler by Maria Lowery, Lena Sellers, Gloria Rabon, Martha Shuping, Betty Zimmerman, Patsy Barringer, Stephanie Fesperman, Dianne Hill and Laverene Thompson, $100

• In honor of Macy, Grant, Spencer, Clayton, Branson and Brody by Charles and Gale Hellard, $200

• In loving memory of Joe Ivan Sims by his family, $101

• Salisbury Lion’s Club, $100

• In honor of Tom, Lauren, Colleen, Shawn, Hannah and Camron by Don Conner, $250

Today’s total: $1,396.00

Running total: $14,851.15