Thanks to the Salisbury Post’s Christmas Happiness Fund, the Salvation Army of Rowan County expects to serve hundreds of area families. So far this year, the drive has already raised more than $1,300.

Since 1952, members of the Rowan County community have demonstrated generosity around the holidays, making it possible for local families to buy presents for their children. 

The fund traces its beginnings to a conversation between then-Salisbury Post editor Spencer Murphy and Lucille Donnelly, head of the Rowan County Welfare Department. Upon hearing that many families did not have enough money to buy their children gifts, Murphy enlisted Post readers to help. 

During the first year, the community raised nearly $2,000. As Rowan County’s population has ballooned so has the need for assistance with more and more families struggling to afford holiday gifts for their children. 

The process to donate is simple. Individuals donate to the Christmas Happiness Fund, which is collected by the Salisbury Post. Typically, donations are made in honor or memory of someone. 

All of the funds that the Post collects are given to the Rowan County Salvation Army, which issues gift cards to families to buy presents. Recipients register in advance through the Christmas Bureau, which hosts an application drive where families apply for multiple programs, including Christmas Happiness and the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. 

Donation forms have already started appearing in the newspaper. Any contributions collected after the drive concludes are rolled over into next year’s fund. 

Contributions can be brought to the Salisbury Post, located at 131 W. Innes St., weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or mailed to Christmas Happiness c/o Salisbury Post, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145. 

Checks can be made payable to Christmas Happiness Fund and donations can also be placed in the Salisbury Post front door mail slot.

Donations that have come in so far include:

• In memory of my “Little Dar’ln” Betty Alexander by David Alexander — $250
• In memory of our Mother Betty Alexander by Michelle Williams, Melanie Blackwelder, Melissa Alexander & Mollie Beck — $250
• In honor of Tom, Colleen, Shawn & Hannah by Don Conner — $200
• In memory of James “Jim” Leonard Cody, my husband of 45 years by Sandra Sharpe Cody — $50
• In memory of my parents Carl & Ada Cavin-Sharpe by Sandra Sharpe Cody — $50
• Richard Kluttz — $200
• In honor of Charles and Greta Connor — $50
• In memory of Mr and Mrs L A Safrit by Calvin Safrit — $200
• In honor of our beloved furry friends by Nan Zimmerman — $25
• In honor of Sue DeCamp Freeze by Jeannie Lefler — $50