By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The idea that a few dollars won’t be enough is a notion that NaKisha Carr casts down. All contributions, even $20 or $30, can help make a difference in a young person’s life, she declares.

Carr and her husband, Bobby, are head of the local Salvation Army chapter and together the couple, along with countless volunteers, distribute the Salisbury Post-sponsored Christmas Happiness Fund.

“That voucher gives a parent such dignity. They can go in the store, purchase clothes and toys and have a little bit of pride back,” Carr said.

She said $25 or $30 can make a big difference for a family.

The Christmas Happiness Fund has been in existence since 1952 and was created by then-Post editor Spencer Murphy. He was contacted when it was learned that there were a number of children who would not receive Christmas gifts that holiday.

Murphy wrote an editorial asking the community for help, and they raised $1,800 that first year.

In the beginning of the program, the Rowan County Department of Social Services distributed the vouchers to parents. A few years ago, the Salvation Army of Rowan County agreed to take it over.

Each eligible family receives a voucher for each child and can then purchase toys or clothing items from a local designated store. The store that parents shopped at for years was Magic Mart, until its closing earlier this year.

Carr said Walmart has welcomed families into its store to shop.

“Walmart was more than gracious to help us,” she said.

In order to streamline the process, some families have already received vouchers and have been able to shop.

“Gifts are coming. We gave vouchers to 300 families,” Carr said.

So far, 140 families have already picked up vouchers and at least 300 more families are expected to participate. The families average about two children in each, but they’ve had families with up to six children.

In 2015, the Christmas Happiness Fund program served 1,452 children and an additional 216 others were helped via late and emergency situations. This year, 720 children have been helped so far through the program.

The Salvation Army, which also distributes toys for its Angel Tree program, will help another 552 children.

“We’ve had a great problem in that 80 percent of our angels were adopted by corporations and businesses. Gifts are purchased for them,” Carr said.

Distribution for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program will be Dec. 21, which will also be the deadline that all Christmas Happiness Fund vouchers will be given.

“So these families can have some peace of mind,” she said.

There are always some families who may have missed the application deadline, and Carr said those final contributions are what they use to assist those families.

As of Dec. 17, the community has contributed $38,851.57 to the Christmas Happiness Fund, which was more than the fund had brought in last year on the same date. In 2015, the community gave $36,632.08 as of Dec. 17.

Bring contributions to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mail them 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.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.