?Once or twice a month, you can find the same group of five men sitting down to breakfast at Hendrick’s Barbecue.
The men, known as the SHS Breakfast Bunch, are a group of 1976 and 1977 graduates from Salisbury High. The group includes Steve Thomas, Luke Fisher, Chris McNeely, Alex Bost and Mike Menius.
This week the men contributed to the Christmas Happiness Fund program in honor of classmate Debbie Barrier Plumber.
“Debbie went to school with us, and she had an impact on us. Her brother is a real good friend of mine and we just wanted to donate to her,” Thomas said.
The Christmas Happiness fund provides Rowan County families in need a way to purchase presents for their children.
The fund program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which accepts contributions. The Rowan County Department of Social Services distributes vouchers to eligible families.
Thomas said sometimes it’s four or more of them who meet at the West Innes Street restaurant. The group has been meeting for about three years.
Thomas recently moved back to Salisbury and reunited with his former classmates.
The breakfast bunch began with two friends meeting for lunch. It grew into more friends and when schedules began to conflict, the lunch was moved to breakfast.
This concludes the Christmas Happiness Fund program, but any money collected this year will help begin next year’s giving.
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.

Friday’s contributions:
In honor of all my clients by Sara Fowler, Sara’s Cleaning Service $50
In memory of John Annas, our friend and neighbor by The Carpenter’s $25
In memory of Debbie Barrier Plummer by Luke, Alex, Chris, Mike and Steve, SHS Breakfast Bunch $100
In honor of Annie Mae Saunders, wonderful friend and neighbor by Brenda and Larry Shue $25
In loving memory of Sheila Hoffmeister by Frank $1,000
Caroline Gemmell and Camantha-Rea Lyerly $20
In loving memory of Betty Cohen Miller by Clyde and The Miller Family $100
In honor of all my teachers at Know Middle School, Coach Beaver, Ms. Chambers-Ramseur, Mr. Kyzer, Coach Pauley, Coach Phillips, Ms. Reasbeck, Ms. Stamper and Mr. Stienbarger by Bo Rusher $100
In memory of our son, Randall Gore, by Steve and Malynda Peeler $25
In honor of my great teachers at Overton Elementary, Mrs. Anderson and Mr. Rymer by Lillie Rusher $30
In honor of my brother and sister in law, Wilbert and Carolyn Lyerly by Jean Ray $100
In memory of my parents Wilber and Pearl Kluttz Lyerly by Jean Ray $100
In memory of Clifford Ray by Jean Ray $100
In honor of Everyman’s Bible Class; First Presbyterian Church; Our Leader, Al Hoffman and all our teachers; Jake Alexander, Vic Bost, Bob Harris, Jay Whittington, Dan Williams, Trevor Williams, Jessie Tart, Jim Spiceland, Randy Lassiter, Tony Almeida and Bob Lewis by Johnny Safrit $100
In honor of Bretta Matthews by Andromeda Cook and Justin Crowell $80
In memory of husband, Millard Seamon and sister, Stella Rowland by Dot Seamon $25
In memory of the 26 shooting victims of Sandy Hook by Friends Who Care $30
In memory of Loretta Ayers by Carolyn and Alan Boyd…….$100
Nu Wave Salon $80
In memory of Mr. “RAN” Turner and in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hurley and Mrs. Mary Ellen Turner, Merry Christmas by Andy K $60
In memory of our son, Franz Merrell and our dear friend, Elaine Honbarrier by Franklin and Dawn Merrell $50
Anonymous $50
In honor of my cousin, Dr. Elaine Stiller and her grandchildren, Casey and Carly by Harold Poole $30
In memory of three great Granite Quarry citizens who passed away this year, Harry Sifford, Elaine Honbarrier and John Seafod by Harold Poole $30
In honor of Bob Yount by Bob Yount’s SS Class-Landmark Church $100
Anonymous $100
In memory of Uly H. Gooch, Ron Ball, Eva and Everett Setzer and honor of The Rev. Don Chancellor, The staff and residents of the Baddour Center $2

Total $2,612
Running Total $57,203.01
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.