By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
There are just nine shopping days left until Christmas. In Rowan County, there are about 1,500 children who’ve applied for the Christmas Happiness Fund who may not get anything for Christmas.
Donations have poured in, but there are still a large number of children whose needs may go unmet.
Sandra Wilkes, director of the Department of Social Services, said collections are down compared to previous years.
“This decrease in collections means that many parents who applied for help with their children’s Christmas will not receive help this year,” she said.
So far, with the funds that have been donated, the program is able to write vouchers for 1,348 children.
“This number of children represents the applicants who applied on the first two days of the application week, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1,” Wilkes said.
Today, DSS staff are preparing vouchers for most of the children whose parents applied for them on Dec. 2, which means 1,500 other children are on the waiting list.
As of today, the total amount contributed is $33,965.25. This date last year, the amount contributed was $34,957.62.
As donations are made, the DSS staff prepare vouchers for mailing.
Wilkes said the staff does not issue vouchers until the funds are available for them.
Vouchers will be mailed out on Friday. Normally, any funds that are donated after the voucher mailing date would be used as start-up money for next Christmas.
“We are very hopeful that we can help all those who qualify,” Wilkes said. “I am very thankful to all those in our community who have made donations to Christmas Happiness.”
Yesterday’s total $28,297.25
In honor of Blanche Stutts and Lois Lesley by Carl Stutts and Tessa Lesley ……………………….$400
In honor of the excellent customer service team at McKenzie Sports Products by Kathy and L. Thomas Powell ………………………..$100
In honor of the wonderful employees of Carillon Assisted Living by Corena and Bobby Garver…$200
In memory of Joe Ashley and in honor of Tanner and Kathryn Hood and Shaw Ashley by Brenda Ashley………………….. $100
In memory of Geraldine Miller by Lana Miller …………………. $50
In honor of Jimmie and Tracy Webb by Pennie and Dick Martin..$100
In honor of Daryl Bruner and Phillip Burgess for all they do for our church and community by Pennie and Dick Martin…..$100
In memory of Ray and Irene McCombs………………………..$100
In memory of Oscar, Edith and Gregory Hollifield ………….. $50
In memory of Eugene and Skippy McCombs ………………….. $50
In honor of Jeanne Shaver and Clyde Harriss by Elizabeth Morgan …………………………… $25
In honor of Ben Davis by Senior Sunday School Class of Friendship Baptist Church ………. $60
In memory of Haywood Basinger by Louise and Dottie …… $100
In honor of our grandchildren, Caden and Alyssa by Art and Lynn ……………………………. $250
In honor of Dorothy B. Rowland by Cindy and Mike Waller .. $50
In memory of Harry L. Rowland Sr. by Cindy and Mike Waller …. $50
In honor of Jean L. Ray by Wilbert and Carolyn ………………. $100
In memory of all deceased members by Gay’s Chapel United Methodist Church Mildred Morgan Guild ………………….. $200
In memory of Sonny Lambert by The 4 D’s, Mom and grandkids .. $25
In honor of Kathy Anthony, We Love You by Rosie and Jean …….. $25
In honor of grandchildren: Jenna, Cameron, Olivia, Sam and Natalie by Jim and Barbara Norman .. $100
In memory of Ben and Lib “Cousin Lizzie” Thompson by Curtis and Jean Waller …………………. $25
In memory of my husband, Ken Smoot by Betty Smoot …….$25
In memory of Marty Faggart, Tom, Jerry, Vickie and Brownie Faggart, Fred and Lucille Faggart, Bertha and Jim Gregory and in honor of James Faggart, Robin Faggart by George and Fran Faggart .. $200
In honor of our friends and neighbors by Jim and Hazel Epting………………………………$100
In honor of the Monday night Blue Bay Supper Club and in loving memory of Buck Osborne, a former member of our club, by Gregg and Katie Evans ……………$50
In memory of our fathers, B.F. Pinkston and C.G. Wise, by Gary and Betty Pinkston ……….$100
In memory of Al Boulus by Gary Pinkston ……………………..$50
Anonymous ………………….$50
In memory of Joseph (Jay) C. Leab by Marjorie Leab ………….$100
In memory of all our deceased members by Allen Temple Presbyterian Church …………….$50
In memory of Eric Stephen Brooks by Frankie Adams and Family ……………………..$100
In memory of Al Boulus by Boyden High Class of 1956 ……….$105
In memory of Donald and Patricia Everhart by Susan Everhart..$100
In honor of Mark and Kristie Everhart, Vail Bible Studies Class of Central United Methodist Church of Spencer by Susan Everhart…………………………….. $100
In honor of teachers and staff of Erwin Middle School by Erwin Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society …………………….$50
In honor of my wonderful sisters: Faye, Trudy, Carlene, Sara, Marvene and Margaret by Fran Simpson ……………………………$25
Wishing our Salisbury friends a Merry Christmas by Sam and Emma Lou Moore ………….$50
In honor of all God’s creatures by Lady, Dugan, Lucky, LuLu, Juanita and Grayson by Nan Zimmerman …………………………..$25
In memory of Paul and Lucile Donnelly ………………………….$50
In memory of Margaret Allison and in honor of John Allison by Lee Ann and Jim Christy $100
Di and Ron Potts …………..$25
In honor of Pan, Sandy and Julie by Walt Ramseur …………..$60
In memory of Alicia Catherine Sienerth and Marshall Anthony Sr.- Love Always and Missing You, by Granny ……………………$25
In honor of my wonderful sister-in-law Margaret Hawk, Rosa Lee Ross and Jean Lambert, by Cathy…$30
Paul, Lynn and Meredith.. $100
In memory of Gilbert and Alan by Shelby ………………………$100
In lieu of Christmas Cards to family and friends, Bible Book Store, Mall Walkers and S.S. Class by Doris Lee …………………….$25
In memory of Fred, Lucille, Tom, Jerry, Vickey, “Brownie”, Marty Faggart, Harvey, Tessie, Cordie Campbell by Woody and Glenda Campbell …………………….$50
In honor of Hope Oliphant by the children of First United Methodist Church of China Grove …..$450
In loving memory of Annie Harrison by Wachovia Retired Women………………………. $25
In loving memory of Doris Hysinger by Wachovia Retired Women ……………………….$25
In loving memory of Dot Shoaf Leonard by Wachovia Retired Women ………………………$25
In loving of Jean Menius by Wachovia Retired Women …….$25
In honor of Rev. Dan and Beth Gobble by Providence United Methodist Women ………..$300
In memory of Gladys Wagoner by Bob Wagoner ……………….$50
In honor of Jerry Karriker, Diane, Gail, Ricky, Dane, Tyler and Mable by Dolly ………………………$50
In memory of Lester L. Smith, Jr. and in honor Larry, Pam, Denise, Dave, Thomas and Leslie ..$50
In memory of Dr. J. Cullen Hall and Martha Hall Raper by Catherine Hall ……………………..$100
In memory of Melvin Morgan by Betty Morgan ………………$100
In honor of Rockwell School Class of ’50 Lunch Bunch by Rockwell School Class of ’50 Lunch Bunch………………………. $100
Catherine Harrison …………$25
Anonymous ………………..$100
In memory of Mimi and Mama Dot and in honor of Haileigh, Caroline, Victoria and Natalie by Grammy and Pop P. ……………..$50
In memory of P.J. and Geneva Kirk by Phil and Margaret Kirk……………………………. $50
Anonymous ………………….$20
In memory of Florence Miller, Eva Kluttz, and Jimmy Vellines by Good Times Group of Union Lutheran Church …………..$25
Today’s total $5,675
Total thus far $33,965.25