Boyden High class of ’59 makes Christmas Happiness donation in honor of one of their own
Published 12:00 am Friday, December 23, 2016
- Illustration by Mark Brincefield, for the Salisbury Post.
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Each Christmas, classmates from the 1959 class of Boyden High School collect money that is then donated to four area charities. One of the classmates, who asked to remain anonymous, sent a letter with a $480 contribution for the Post-sponsored Christmas Happiness Fund.
The 1959 class of Boyden High School meets each month for lunch and fellowship. The classmates stay in touch by sharing pictures and current happenings in their lives through email and Facebook.
Each Christmas, the classmates collect money from each other near and far for four different Rowan charities, the letter said.
In addition to receiving donations for the Salvation Army, Rowan Helping Ministries and Kiser Hospice House, the classmates have offered $480 for this year’s Christmas Happiness Fund in honor of Phyllis Beck.
The letter said Beck was the glue that held them together and kept up with everyone. Beck chooses the lunch site for the month and always goes the extra mile. The letter also said Beck puts forth the effort to make their time together special. It is our pleasure to honor her this Christmas with our gift of $480, the letter said.
The Christmas Happiness Fund has been ongoing since 1952 after an appeal from Post editor Spencer Murphy. He asked residents to dig into their wallets and purses to help some children have a happier Christmas. The donations rolled in and, to this day, have continued. Every eligible family receives a voucher for each child to purchase toys or clothing.
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:
Sisters of Preceptor PSI $25
In honor of Leo Wallace, Victor Wallace and Jason Wallace by the office staff at Wallace Realty $100
In memory of baby Greg and in honor of my grandchildren: Katie, Ben, Will, Cal, J.T., Heather, and Ashlynn $200
In memory of my husband, Bobby C. Brown, and in memory of our sons, Phil Brown and Rick Spry by Margaret Edwards Brown $25
In honor of my daughters, Kim Craig, Dana Horton, and Christi Helper by Margaret Edwards Brown $25
In honor of employees of Vogue Cleaners by Vogue Cleaners $50
In honor of my husband of 20 years, Will Sandridge by Laura Sandridge $100
In memory of our parents by Laura and Will Sandridge $20
In honor of our friends and neighbors who have been so kind and helpful during my Will’s illness, John and D.J. Whitfield, Larry and Rachel Goodman, Diana Moustafa, Gary and Anita Moss, Jo Ann Myers, Lee Wagoner, Lonnie Bridge, Terry Houck, Beth Walton, Lonnie Bridge, Jim and Bobbie Denham, Dewey and Wilma Bryan, Nita and Eric Houck, Lonnie and Ruth Brown by Laura and Will Sandbrige $100
In honor of volunteers for Relay for Life $25
In honor of Bob Harkrader by the Man’s Prayer Breakfast Group of FUMC $100
In memory of my Mom, Helen Melton and son, Tim Harris by Shirley Harris $20
Friday Night Bridge Club $270
In memory of Linda Graham by Gary, Donna, and Trace $30
In memory of Carol Collier Clement by Bobby and Betty Lomax $500
In memory of John and Catherine Kirk and in honor of their children: Mary Ann, Johnny, Margie, Cathy, Rita, and Betty by Joesph Kirk $25
In memory of our parents, Eva and Frank Kelly, Frances and Arthur Hanson, who always made sure we had a toy for Christmas by Ed and Eileen Hanson-Kelly $35
In memory of Paul B. Coan and Gene F. Wike and in honor of the Wike and Coan families by Pug Coan $100
Digna Freirich $100
In memory of all the deceased members by International Women’s Club $100
In memory of our deceased members: Howard Barbour, Bill Hardister, Bill Bostian, Ellis Fisher, John Miller, Stewart Cuthrell, CL Eagle, Mack Wood, Gene Queen, Steve Shirley, and Ray Fleming by Salisbury BassMasters $250
In honor of the students, faculty, and staff of Southeast Middle by Southeast Middle Serving Patriots Club $336
In honor of Phyllis Beck, our lunch bunch leader who keeps us together, from the Boyden High School Class of 1959, Thank You for your caring spirit $480
Total $3,016
Running Total $54,554.57
Correction:
In honor of Anne and Dave Clay by Jackie Pearce and Betty Mohs $150
Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.
