Each year the veterans of AMVETS Post 565 in China Grove have a list of charities and organizations they contribute to and this year the men made sure the Christmas Happiness Fund made it on that list. The group has been contributing to the program for a number of years and have a special love for organizations that help children, said Harold Andrews, a former Post commander.
Christmas Happiness contributions are collected at the Salisbury Post. The donations are listed in the paper each day. The Salvation Army of Rowan County distributes those contributions to area families in need. Families receive a voucher to buy Christmas presents for each child who qualifies.
Andrews said the men set aside money for the Christmas Happiness Fund, Nazareth Children’s Home, American Children’s Home in Lexington, Rowan Helping Ministries and the Salvation Army of Rowan County.
“They are our future and the ones who are at the children’s homes have a struggle on their own,” he said.
Their contribution was given in the name of all of military veterans.
“That’s our thing, we are all veterans and we are concerned about veterans affairs,” Andrews said.
He said all of the organizations they donate to give back, some of which helps veterans.
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:
In memory of Uncle Ken by Michael and Melissa $25
In memory of Paw Paw Murph by Michael and Melissa $25
In memory of Great Aunt Mae by Garrett $25
In memory of Paw Paw Fred, “I miss you” by Garrett $25
In memory of Fred McDaniel by Barbara, Michael and Melissa $100
In memory of John Allison by Lee Ann and Jim Christy $50
In memory of Allison, Jack, and Jackson Egbert by Lee Ann and Jim Christy $50
In honor of Sunday School teachers George Hill, Steve Sherriff, Linda Adams, Blanche Sherrill, and Carolyn Sadler by Daisy Hedrick S.S. Class @ 1st United Methodist Church.. $100
In loving memory of George E. Rusher, Jr by his family $100
In memory of my dear husband $100
Lois Simone $100
In memory of Jack and Willie Alexander and Glenn and Maggie Holshouser by James, Sylvia, and Pam Alexander. $20
In loving memory of our mothers, Maisie McAllister and Vivian Rice and in honor of our father, Stanley Rice by Jim and Jacque Rice $100
In memory of co-workers at R.W Normans and other friends, E.E. Lampert, Sr., Ilene Wise, Irene Ritchie, Tripp Lampert, Kathleen Gray, West Spain, Ann Myers, Don Barger, Blanche Lampert, Norman Beaver, Rosemary Spain, and Maxine Carlton by Pat Beaver, “Pocita”, and “Swicy” $30
In honor of Barbara Davidson Riley, Dennis and Toni Davidson and daughters, Bethany, Katie, Carrie by Joseph Riley $20
In memory of Ida Mae and Whitney Kluttz by Norman/Sarah Holshouser $100
In memory of Katie H Morgan and Alan Morgan by Robert Morgan $50
In memory of Rex and Earline Ayars by Sharon McBride $25
In memory of Steve and Ray Weddington and in honor of Don Weddington and Family by Cora Weddington $100
In honor of Bill Cansler and Jay Kepley by Helping Hands Class, Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church $50
In honor of Grandmama and Pinky by Julie, Baxter, Izzy, and Tux $25
In memory of David Reavis and Karen R Littleton and in honor of Vickie R. Barnhardt by Evelyn S. Reavis $100
In honor of all military veterans — past and present by AMVETS POST 565 $50
In memory of deceased classmates and loved ones by Boyden High School Class of ’53 Lunch Group $100
In honor of our grandsons Ryan and Cody Difazio and Ethan Kelly by Eileen and Ed Hanson-Kelly $30
In memory of Wallace, Mama Dot and Mimi $50
In honor of Haileigh, Caroline, Victoria, Natalie, and Sofie.. $50

Total $1,600
Running Total $26,896