Christmas Happiness: Local woman gives in memory of deceased husband, son
Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 5, 2015
By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com
Betty Sunding has found a way to keep the memories of her husband and son alive years after their deaths with her annual contributions to the Christmas Happiness Fund.
Sunding, a South Dakota native, who has been living in Salisbury for the last 43 years, said she gave simply because it was a nice to do so.
“It’s local and it’s just the way to spread some holiday cheer to people who may not have much,” she said.
Sunding’s husband Donald died 11 years ago and while the two were vacationing in Puerto Rico visiting her brother. His death was unexpected despite his ailing health. He was dealing with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and came down with the flu.
The couple’s son Timothy died in 1981 in a car accident. He was not quite 21.
She always gives to the Christmas Happiness Fund in their memory.
Sunding said she’s just thankful to be alive and well and living in Salisbury.
The Salisbury Post collects the contributions and the Salvation Army of Rowan County distributes the donations to the Christmas Happiness Fund. Families who qualify receive a voucher for each eligible child. Contributions will be collected through Christmas Day.
Donations may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Donations can also be mailed to the Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, N.C. 28145-4639. Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed.
Friday’s donations:
• Anonymous $100
• In honor of the Walkers and Talkers by Ginny Champion $25
• In memory of our beloved Mimi and my sweet sister by Ott and Julie Pinkston $25
• In memory of Arthur Pinkston, Sr and Edna Pinkston by Ott and Julie Pinkston $25
• In appreciation of our good friends, Sue and Sturges Bryan by Ott and Julie Pinkston $25
• In memory of Donald E and Timothy J Sunding by Betty Sunding $200
• In memory of Dermot and Katharyn Weaver and Ned, Ilene and Mark Norris by Eric, Kathy, Erin, Kristen, Jonathan, Zack and Tyson $100
• In memory of Rose and Eddie Post by David Post $250
Total $800
Running Total $11,398
