6-year-old continues family tradition of giving
Published 6:46 pm Tuesday, December 20, 2016
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Amaya Cerda is celebrating her 6th birthday today, and what better way to send a special birthday shout out than to feature her as the latest giver to the Christmas Happiness Fund?
Amaya (pronounced Ah-May-ah) gave in honor of her two kindergarten teachers — Mrs. Trexler and Mrs. Cleveland.
Her mother, Lisa, said Amaya is a “very giving child.”
The young girl didn’t want to stop at the contribution honor.
“She said, ‘I want to give them something,’ ” Lisa said.
The mother-daughter team made cookies and Chex Mix, and gave a candle for her teachers.
The tradition of giving to the Christmas Happiness Fund was started when Lisa was in grade school. She told Amaya about the donations she had made, so the kindergartner wanted to give in honor of her favorite teachers.
Her teachers help her learn, Amaya said.
Amaya likes math, loves to play outdoors, dance and do gymnastics, she told a Post reporter.
Mom Lisa added that Amaya loves to color and often colors pictures for family, friends and other people.
“She always wants to give people stuff,” Lisa said.
When asked why Ms. Trexler and Ms. Cleveland were her favorite teachers, Amaya said, “They love me.”
The Christmas Happiness Fund was started in 1952 by editor Spencer Murphy as an appeal to the community for help. He asked readers to give any amount of money for children who would not have gotten anything for Christmas.
The fund as continued ever since. Eligible families receive a voucher for each child and can then purchase toys or clothing items from a local store.
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, N.C. 28145-4639. Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed.
Today’s contributions are:
In honor of Evelyn Cauble, Brenda Cauble, Steve Cauble and Capstone Recovery Center, by Linda Cauble $100
In honor of Salisbury Church of the Nazarene, by Brenda Cauble $100
In memory of my husband, Carl Cauble, and brother Bill Waller, by Evelyn Cauble $100
In loving memory of Lewis J. Alsobrooks, by Margaret Alsobrooks $25
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. L.M. Yost, Sue Frick, Anne and Gene Wilson, Edith and John Mesimore, Frances and Tom Wilson, Jack and Peggy Yost, Buddy Yost, Dupre Stone, Ronnie Yates, Sr., and Jerry Parker, by The Yost Family $135
In memory of all who have served, Allen Temple by Allen Temple Presbyterian Church $50
In memory of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hall, by Leonard A. Hall $25
In memory of my son, Jody Peeler, by Jane Peeler $25
In memory of Lee Russell, by Cindy and Kirkley $100
In memory of Mary Sloop and in honor of Dr. Norman Sloop, Tom and Martha Smith, Rosemary and Karl Kinard, by John and Patsy Parnell $100
In honor of Grandmama and Pinky-Love, Julie, Baxter, Izzy and Tux $25
In memory of Oscar and Hazel Garver, by Dale and Kathy Watson $100
In loving memory of Joyce Boggs and Polly Lyerly, who passed in 2016, and my YaYa Sisters — only 2 of 5 left — by Dana and Jan Samuelson $100
Grace Lutheran Church Senior Sunday School Teachers $25
In memory of Guy and Betty Poplin, by Bo Butler $50
In memory or Rudy Butler, by Bo Butler $50
In honor of Elizabeth West, Spencer West and Davis West, by Bo Butler $50
In honor of Cherry Lockert, by Bo Butler $50
In honor of my teachers, Mrs. Trexler and Mrs. Cleveland, by Amaya $30
Wishing all Rowan County friends a Merry Christmas, by Marie L. Fork $25
In honor of all my associates at Central Carolina Insurance Agency, you are all “The Best,” by Rick Stamey $50
In memory of Raymond and Susan Dennis, Roy and Louise Drye, Hoy and Bonnie Drye, Shirley Payne and Linda Swink, and in honor of Shannon Hinson, by Pete and Linda Drye $50
In memory of Claude and Jean Lyerly and Richard and Lois Henion, by Tim and Linda $100
In memory of my mother, Josephine Stamey, my father-in-law, Baxter Smith, and my mother-in-law, Virginia Smith, and in honor of my Dad, Harold Stamey, my wife, Alice L. Stamey, our six children at The Stameys’ — Ron, Richie, Ryan, Jason, Ashlyn and Anthony — by Rick Stamey $100
In memory of Myrtice and Dimp Roberts and Melba and Irvin Parnell Sr., by Ginny P. Mabey and Andy Parnell $300
In memory of Codie Cline, We Miss You, by David Fox and Morgan Pepper $40
In memory of David Goodman, Scot Rierson and John O. Reynolds III, by family and friends $250
In memory of Kelly W. Cartner, our son, by Don and Nora Cartner (Mom and Dad) $100
In honor of Bill Shives, on his Christmas Eve Birthday, with love, Becky Shives $50
In honor of Kate and Laura Ritchie, by Mark and Jane Ritchie $100
In honor of the best Papa ever, Floyd Burton, and in memory of the best Mama ever, Dot Burton, with love, Drew and Bubba $50
In memory of Al Boulus, by his wife, Thelma Boulus and children Sandy Flowe, Dan Flowe and Michael Boulus and grandchildren $100
In memory of our parents, Spencer and Jane Snyder, by Richard and Novella Snyder $50
In memory of our parents, Otis and Mary Williams, by Richard and Novella Snyder $50
In honor of NH: Carolina Women’s Health Assoc. $50
In honor of Adam & Eve Sunday School Class of First United Methodist Church $100
In memory of Jim Kelly by Marjorie Kelly $50
Total $2,855
Running Total $48,838.57
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.
