SALISBURY — Each year, the women of the Charity League of Salisbury make contributions to a number of local causes, but at the top of the list has always been the children who benefit from the Christmas Happiness Fund, said treasurer Carole Simmons.

The Charity League donated $500 to the Christmas Happiness Fund this week. It is one of about 30 agencies to which the group contributes.

The organization was originally called Kings Daughters, then was known as the Relief Fund of Salisbury.

The relief circle is made up of a number of local women who have for many years served the once-a-week meal for the Rotary Club of Salisbury.

“They would pay the ladies of the Charity League. The ladies still serve, and as a result of that, the Rotary still will give us a check, which they know we will give away,” Simmons said.

The Charity League made a $500 donation to the Christmas Happiness Fund. Frances Edwards is president of the league.

“We are grateful to the Post for giving us that opportunity, and the Charity League is grateful to the Rotarians for allowing us to do it,” Simmons said.

The Christmas Happiness Fund is a program that has been around since 1952. It was started after Salisbury Post editor Spencer Murphy asked the Rowan County community to dig into their pockets to see that local children who would not have received much for Christmas could get some gifts.

The Salisbury Post collects the donations from the community and those contributions are turned over to the Salvation Army of Rowan County. The local organization distributes vouchers that are used at a local business to eligible families where parents are able to buy gifts for their children.

This time last year, the community had contributed $30,872.57, placing this year’s contributions $172.43 ahead of 2016 totals. Donations will continue to be accepted through Dec. 20 so that volunteers are able to make sure eligible families can shop before Christmas. Any contributions donated after that date will begin next year’s fund.

Contributions to Christmas Happiness may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mailed to Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639. Make checks payable to Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed.

Today’s contributions are:

In honor of Cathye and Clarence Martin by Mark and Jane Ritchie, $100

In honor of Jean L Ray by Wilbert and Carolyn Lyerly, $100

In honor of Joe and Phyllis Freeze by Wilber and Carolyn Lyerly, $100

Anonymous, $50

In memory of John Ervin Bame by Sarah Bame, $25

In memory of Nellie and Arthur Trexler, Bessie and Jewel Jones by Ken and Janet Trexler, $100

In honor of the Rev. Aldana Alan by Providence UMW, $300

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

In loving memory of our Aunt Betty Ruth Hood, whose kind heart and loving spirit left a lasting impression on all our lives, by her nieces and nephews, $50

In memory of Elizabeth Wilson, Jim, Marvin, Glenda, Mary and Clyde, $35

In memory of Mr. and Mrs, J.C. Livengood by the Livengood children, $100

In memory of Joe Hearne Rufty, $500

In memory of Mrs. Nancy Penley by Brown Baggers Book Club, $150

In memory of Earl C Alexander by Carolyn Alexander, $100

In memory of deceased members by Salisbury International Women’s Club, $100

In memory of Morris Carlson, Lois Carlson, Kay Stake, John R, Challis Sr., Edith Challis, Roger Challis, Brenda Smith by Gary and Gloria Carlson, $100

In honor of Macy Branson, Brody, Grant, Spencer, and Clayton, $200

In memory of Carl M. Benfield, Glenn R. Hartzoge, Mary B. Snowberger and Louise B. Hartzoge by Tim and Marsha, $75

In memory of Joyce Knelp, remembering her with love on her birthday, Dec. 17, by Debbie Eller, $25

In honor of Olivia, Sophia, Cooper and Avery by Pawpaw and Meme, $100

In memory of Ray and Irene McCombs by Gary and Sue Teague, $200

In honor of our Sunday school teachers, Billie Goodman and Debbie Miller, by Arthur Shipton Sunday School Class, Immanuel Lutheran Church, $50

In honor of our Sunday school teachers, Ronnie Miller and Gary Daniel, by Eicie Earnhardt/Fred Shipton Sunday School Class, $40

In memory of Michael Leonard Daniel, $25

In memory of Roy B. Staton by Geraldine Staton, $50

In memory of my husband, Ray E. Hollowell, by Libby Hollowell, $25

In honor of Wilbert and Carolyn Lyerly, $200

In memory of Clifford Ray and Wilbert Lyerly Sr. and Pearl Kluttz Lyerly, $300

In memory of W. Ralph Peeler and Ben B. Wagoner by Irene W. Peeler, $50

In memory of Giorgio and Mercede Porcari and in honor of RC Foster children by Sandy Porcari, $50

In loving memory of my husband, Tom McDaniel, by Peggy C. Daniel, $100

In memory of Junior Dean Wyatt by Betty Wyatt, $100

In memory of Hoy Stirewalt by Betty Wyatt, $50

In memory of Bettie Fesperman and in honor of four grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Harley Gagnier, Atlas Gagnier, David Graham, Siera Fesperman, Ethen Fesperman, by Harold Fesperman, $100

In honor of HoHo by Amanda, $25

In memory of Daddy and my sister Libby by Pam, $50

In honor of Melissa and Steve Butler by Pam, $25

In memory of L.A. “Red” Castor by his family, $100

In memory of Ralph Walton, a passionate Rowan County educator,  by Dale and Margaret Basinger, $100

In loving memory of my mother, Ruby Simmerson Chilson; my father, Henry Chilson; and my nephew, Nathan Eric Raymer, by Melanie Chilson, $25

 In memory of Ruth and Cecil Bernhardt, Gilbert and Donna Bernhardt, Phil Bernhardt, Debbie Walker Bernhardt, and David Deese by Vernon and Cheryl Bernhardt, $200

Spencer Moose Lodge, $100

Anonymous, $40

In memory of Dr. Clyde Young by Rikki and Rebecca Spencer, $100

In memory of Wayne Cobb by D. Wayne and Judy Cobb, $100

In tearful memory of Dixie Belle. She was not my dog, but she spent every weekend with me and walked 173 10K walks with me during the past eight years. She died May 10, 2017; and in honor of businesses downtown who grieved with me and especially to all the employees of the Stitchin’ Post, Fine Frame Gallery, Queen’s and Simply Sassy, $100

In honor of Salisbury Rotary Club by Charity League of Salisbury: Margaret Alsobrooks, Carolyn Biddix, Gayle Brinson, Mimi Carlton, Marcia Carter, Kay Coltrain, Patty Crocker, Sherry Dillard, Frances Edwards, Carolyn Glasgow, Joyce Goodwin, Charlotte Hall, Rosemary Hall, Libby Hollowell, Darcus Hunt, Joynce Ingran, Hazel Kirk, Virginia Krotchko, Barbara Langford, Georgia McCorkle, Judy Moore, Lib Morgan, Alice Owens, Dottie Rebhan, Susan Sember, Starr Shive, Carole Simmons and Lindsay Wineka, $500

 Today’s total: $5,190

Running total: $31,045