SALISBURY — The Christmas Happiness Fund at the Salisbury Post offers folks a chance to donate money to the Salvation Army while recognizing loved ones. 

Pam Clark took the opportunity to honor the memory of her parents, J.P. and Sally Helms, and her sister Libby.

Clark’s father worked in advertising for the Salisbury Post and died in 2015.

“I grew up with him being really busy this time of year laying out all the ads,” Clark said. “It was a good time of year at the Post, but he was very busy.”

Clark’s mother also helped out at the newspaper, inserting circulars in various editions. She died in 2021.

“I grew up with the Post being a big part of my life,’ Clark said. 

J.P. and Sally Helms met after J.P. got back from a stint in the military.

“She met my dad when he got out of the service,” Clark said. “She heard about this J.P. coming back and how great he was.”

After they were married, Sally held several volunteer positions around town, notably at the hospital at First United Methodist Church. According to Clark, Sally’s culinary abilities earned her quite the reputation.

“She was known for her sour cream pound cakes,” Clark said. “She would make several this time of year. People were ordering them like crazy. People who knew her would know all about that.”

Clark’s father was never short on Christmas spirit either, at times, helping construct full-sized outdoor playhouses to give community children as presents. The Helms were also avid bridge players.

Clark also recognized her sister, Libby, in her donation. Libby died in 2017. 

“She was a really good flute player,” Clark said. “She played at weddings around town. She was known for that.

“She also played with the Salisbury Symphony.”

Clark added that Libby had a sense of humor, lived in Blowing Rock and loved the cold weather.

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 so far this week include:

• In honor of Vida Myers — $40

• Anonymous — $100

• Georgette and Conan Thompson — $250

• In memory of friends who have died during 2023 by Phil Kirk — $50

• In memory of my parents, JP and Sally Helms and Sister Libby by Pam Clark — $100

• In memory of Carl M Benfield, Glenn R Hartzoge, Mary Benfield Snowberger and Louise B. Hartzoge by Tim and Marsha — $100

• In honor of family and friends by Rick and Carol Leonard — $100

• Howard Brown Agency — $100

• In memory of my Husband John E Bame by Sarah Bame — $25

• In memory of Alice Jamison by Eileen and Ed Hanson-Kelly — $25

• Anonymous — $150

Total — $1,040

Running Total — $6,285