By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
To say that today’s children don’t know how to give would not be a fair statement, at least in the case of Kathryn Rusher.
The Knox Middle School sixth-grader has been giving since the age of seven.
This week, Kathryn, now 11, gave to the Christmas Happiness Fund in honor of six of her teachers.
“A lot of them have really helped me get through my first year in sixth grade. They helped me make new friends,” she said.
Donating to the Christmas Happiness Fund began in second grade, said Kathryn’s mom, Kathy.
It all probably started after a conversation the family had about not getting smaller gifts, but donating the money instead, Kathy said.
“It’s a way to recognize the teachers,” Kathy said.
So the tradition continues that Kathryn and her parent sit down to decide how much to give.
Kathryn selects teachers who’ve made an impact in her life that school year and writes them a decorated thank you note detailing her donation. Last year she made donations in honor of her teachers at Overton Elementary School.
She’s continued each year giving to the Christmas Happiness Fund and honoring her teachers.
“I know I’m letting my teachers see I like what they do for me. I’m also helping someone who might not get something for Christmas,” Kathryn said.
Kathryn said she is among peers who have a giving heart also.
“Some of my friends have given to Christmas Happiness. Some do Operation Christmas Child and the Angel Tree,” Kathryn said.
Another one of Kathryn’s friends adopted a child in Africa.
“I think a lot of people my age are interested in giving,” she said.
She hears all the time in her school’s hallways about students donating canned goods for food drives or coat drives.
Some of her teachers have not seen the paper, but were told of Kathryn’s contribution.
One of Kathryn’s teachers sent her a Christmas card and another thanked her. “She called me up to the front and hugged me and I thought that was nice,” Kathryn said.
Yesterday’s total $37,126.25
Rowan Salisbury School System’s Superintendent’s Advisory Team $550
In memory of George Hooper and Bill Harries $25
Sally Murphy $50
In honor our dear friends: Karl and Rosemary Kinard, Frank and Sharon Plummer, Tom and Faye Porter, Norman and Mary Sloop and Tome and Martha Smith by John and Patsy Parnell $100
In honor of Carolyn, Tim and J. D. Arey by Martha and Lonzo Arey $25
In memory of our parents by Larry and Sandra McKenzie $500
In lieu of Christmas Cards by George and Frances McGarity $30
In memory of Justin Monroe, Uncle and Friend by Carolina and Rob Monroe and Abby and Corbin Smith $40
In honor of Kate and Laura by Mark and Jane Ritchie $100
Circle #4 F. U. C. C. $50
In honor of Gary and Starla Smith and Family, Steve and Cindy Martin and Family, Don and Dena King and Family and Dale and Margaret Basinger and Family by Joe and Lanny $100
Earl C. Wilkinson $100
In memory of Giorgio Porcari and in honor of children in foster care by Sandy Porcari $35
In memory of Alice Moore-former Sunday School Teacher and in honor of our special friends at Woodleaf Methodist Church by Gregg and Katie Evans $30
In honor of Wayne, Jared and Rachel by Dick and Cheryl Reavis $50
In honor of Janis and Ronnie Smith and Carolyn and Gerald Ross by Roy and Sarah Snider $200
In loving memory of our sons, Sam Boyd and Randy Wagoner by Norman and Barbara Wagoner $25
In memory of Edd and Maie Wagoner and Ed and Ruth K. Uzzell by Norman and Barbara Wagoner $25
In honor of our grandchildren Jordan and Grayson Short, Taylor Boyd and Jake Pulley by Daddy Wag and Mammy $25
In honor of Boyden High Class of ’55 Lunch Bunch-Thanks for caring by Barbara Wagoner $25
In honor of Debbie Sugg by a Friend $100
In memory of Chester D. ZumBrunnen by Betty Jean ZumBrunnen $100
In memory of Doris Langlais, West Spain $25
In honor of our wonderful neighbors, “Aunt Shelly and Uncle Ned” $75
In memory of Ricky Childers by Darryl and Trenita Childers $50
In honor of Mary B. Hagy by David Hagy $50
In memory of Tony Recker and Levi Bisbee by Hill and Patricia Jones $200
In memory of Wesley and Squirt and in honor of Patricia on her Birthday by John and Lucy $20
In memory of Barry Alley and in honor of children Sharlene, Mark and Kendall Alley $100
In honor of Ann Carscaddon by Buna and Peachers $100
In honor of YMCA “walk and talk” group-Ginny, Jan, Linda, Mary, Nita, Pat and Teresa by Kay McCartney $50
In lieu of Christmas Cards to our Salisbury friends and neighbors and also a special Thank You to the Dinner Group of the Newcomers Club, our wonderful neighbors Carolyn, Vicki and James File, Ralph and Eunice Massey and Sandy and John Wagoner by Frank and Marie Fork $50
In honor of my friends and colleagues at Catawba College by Dr. Bethany Sinnott $50
In loving honor and memory of all Salisbury-Rowan CWU members by the CWU Wellspring Bible Study Group $100
In loving memory of Chuck Taylor, Anita Taylor Stone and Kathryn Edmond $200
In honor of Nancy Wilson, President of UMW Park Avenue by Park Avenue UMW $25
In loving memory of my wonderful husband, Leslie Lee by Doris Lee $25
Today’s total $3,380
Total thus far $40,506.25