By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — This year’s Christmas Happiness Fund is set to assist just under 1,000 children whose Christmas will be that much brighter thanks to regular donations from the community given through late December.

And the Post has begun accepting donations for the 2019 edition for the Christmas Happiness Fund.

Its history dates back to 1952 — when Salisbury Post Editor Spencer Murphy asked readers to help Rowan County children receive something for Christmas after learning from Lucille Donnelly, who was the head of the county’s welfare department, that many families didn’t have the money to buy their children gifts.

Murphy penned an editorial and asked Rowan Countians for help. After his call for help, the community raised $1,811.41. The county population has continued to climb as many more families find it difficult to make ends meet. In the nearly 70 years since Murphy’s first challenge, the community hasn’t failed to accept the call. Last year’s contributions brought in $45,868.31.

The program provides eligible families with a gift card that’s used to buy presents for children 12 and under.

The program is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which collects contributions. The Salvation Army of Rowan County distributes gift cards. A month ago, parents and guardians signed up for the program through the Christmas Bureau, which conducts the application process. The application process has since closed.

Readers send donations to the Post, often with a heartfelt tribute to a loved one, and the Post lists the names and amounts in the paper.

Contributions may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mailed to Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639.