Dinah Carpenter shared three times the happiness with that number of donations to the annual Christmas Happiness Fund.

Two of the donations recognized some special friends that Carpenter has made over the years, one being her favorite gambling bunch as she calls them, a foursome who continues to play bridge and have lunch together monthly.

The group originally started getting together about 40 years ago with two tables of bridge happening, Carpenter said, but “we lost four of the ladies,” and the group is down to four, which includes Mot Arey, Nancy Lippard, Barbara Waggoner and herself.

Carpenter noted that she calls them the gambling group because they do gamble a little when they get together and wanted to acknowledge these ladies by donating in their honor “because they’re so special in my life. I look forward to the times I’m with them. You know it’s a good thing to have friends that you really enjoy.”

Another donation was made to honor her friends, Rochelle Bost and Kay McCartney. This trio, she noted, retired from teaching at the same time from Overton Elementary School, and they likewise continue to get together for lunch about two or three times a month to visit and eat.

“I just really enjoy being in their company,” Carpenter shared.

A third gift to the fund was given in memory of her late husband, Sonny Carpenter, who, she shared, passed away eight years ago.

Carpenter expressed how much she likes the Happiness Fund telling that she thinks it is a wonderful program.

“I think if you give there, you give something to everybody,” she said.

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 our parents Rev. and Mrs. Bennie Bearden and Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Schenk by Norman and Gloria Schenk — $30

• In memory of Mrs. “Kat” Hampton and Faye Menius by Doxie Weavil and Mrs. Gloria Schenk — $30

• In honor of my favorite gambling bunch: Mot Arey, Nancy Lippard and Barbara Waggoner by Dinah Carpenter — $50

• In honor of Rochelle Bost and Kay McCartney by Dinah Carpenter — $25

• In memory of Sonny Carpenter by Dinah Carpenter — $100

• Anonymous — $50

• In memory of my parents M.H. and Mildred Bell and W.L. and Pauline Morgan by Ann Bell — $25

• In honor of my grandchildren: Hunter, Harrison, Rachel, Regan and Laney Bell and Daxton Rowland by Ann Bell — $25

• In honor of Ott and Julie Pinkston by Dorothy P. Atkinson — $100

• In memory of our sweet Uncle and friend Justin Monroe and our sweet Paw Paw and friend Eddie Monroe by Rob and Caroline Monroe and Corbin and Abby Smith — $40

• In honor of Pastor Barry Queen and Melody by Providence United Women in Faith — $300

• In memory and honor of the 4 Ds — $100

• In memory of Alice Jean Lyerly by Bettie and Jim Lyerly — $50

• In memory of Thomas Joe Lyerly by Bettie and Jim Lyerly — $50

• In memory of Jim and Mike Wilson by Anne Wilson — $100

• In memory of Richard F. Lentz Jr.  by Anne Wilson — $50

• In memory of Hazel and Wiliam Harter, Marian and Bill Harter, Julian Harter and Aubey Sophia Denny by Anne Wilson — $300

• In memory of Sally and J.P. Helms and Libby Hoffmier by Anne Wilson — $50

• In honor of Trinity Oaks residents and staff by Anne Wilson — $500

• In honor of Ann Ellis by Brenda Wood — $50

• In memory of Bill Fisher Sr., Bill Fisher Jr. and George W. Benson by Marilyn Fisher and family — $40

• In loving memory of our daughter Kim Holshouser by Charles and Patsy Martell — $100.

• In loving memory of Marian and Harvey White Sr. and Harvey White Jr. by Fonda Kirk, Cheryl and Mark Smyre and Bonita and Chester Robinson — $100

• In memory of Raymond and Susan Dennis, Roy and Louise Drye, Shirley Payne, Linda Swink and Hoy and Bonnie Drye and in honor of Shannon Hinson by Pete and Linda Drye — $200.

• Spencer Moose Lodge #2019 — $200

• In honor of our friends and neighbors in Milford Hills by Chuck and Liz Friedrick — $300

• In honor of Central United Methodist Church Spencer by The Combs Family — $200

• In memory of Pete and Dot Connor and in honor of teachers Larry Thomason, Charles Everson, Sylvia Bailey and Ruby Goodman by the Unity Sunday School at St Matthew’s Lutheran Church — $200

• In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Mott Price Sr., Mr. Mott Price Jr., Mr. and Mrs. John Peeler, Mr. Lewis Alsobrooks and Darrell Shive by the Alfred Price family — $50

• In memory of Ernest and Janice Stoner, Guy Carlan and Clancy Bostian by Ann S. Bostian — $50

Total — $3,465

Running total — $33,378.78