By Emily Ford
eford@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Preschoolers from First United Methodist Church made their annual trek Thursday to the Salisbury Post to deliver a donation to Christmas Happiness.
And a couple from southern Rowan County gave another big offering this year. Keith and Janet Carroll, who the Post featured in Christmas Happiness last year, donated $12,000 Thursday “to honor Jesus Christ’s birthday.”
Last year, the couple gave $10,000 and in 2008, $12,500. In 2009, they gave exclusively to Main Street Mission in China Grove.
As quiet as 17 4-year-olds could be, the wide-eyed children from First United Methodist filed slowly into the sun-filled lobby at the Post. They had walked from the preschool at 217 S. Church St.
Teachers Suzy Crouch and Patsy Langlais explained they were donating the money the children had collected to give needy kids a merry Christmas.
This year, the preschoolers’ coins and dollar bills added up to $283.97.
“They love to contribute, and it’s really meaningful for them and their families as well,” preschool Director Lindsay Wineka said. “They really get it.”
The 4-year-old class delivered money raised by all preschool classes at First United Methodist. The preschool has been contributing to Christmas Happiness for years.
Wineka and the other teachers use the experience to help their students understand the importance of generosity during the holiday season.
“We start collecting before Thanksgiving, so we can talk about giving to others and how thankful we are for what we’ve got,” Wineka said. “We are trying to instill that in them at an early age.”
While the children make their wish lists and dream about what gifts they may find from Santa on Christmas morning, perhaps they also will think about the children who will receive a present this year because of coins they collected for Christmas Happiness.
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 donation listed.
Contributions Thursday:
In memory of Becky and Poppa-Myrtice and Dimp by Hazel M. Winfree$25
For Many Blessings by V.M. Wagner $25
Anonymous $20
In honor of Ralph and Colleen Walton by Patricia Ramsey.. $50
In memory of Vic Shive by Ann, Becky, Chris and Lowry $50
In honor of Laura Hincemon and Sandi Freeze and in memory of Brent Link by Laura and Dave Hincemon $50
In memory of Mrs. Carrie Sechler and Mr. and Mrs. M.D. McKnight Sr. $100
Southside Homemakers $30
Anonymous $100
In memory of Thomas Lewis Daniel and in honor of Mary Frances Daniel by Clyde and Lewellen Padgett $300
Salisbury Lions Club $100
In memory of Dyral Fessler, Don and Terry Slater and in honor of My Family by Donna Fessler $100
To Honor Jesus Christ’s Birthday by Keith and Janet Carroll $12,000
Merry Christmas with love from First United Methodist Preschool $283.97
Day’s total: $13,233.97
Running Total $21,953.97