By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Today would have been Todd Kimball’s 52nd birthday.

Kimball passed away in 1999 from cancer at 31 years old. Every year, his parents, Tommy and Carlene Kimball, donate to the Christmas Happiness Fund in their son’s memory.

The Kimballs donate an amount that would be their son’s age, then add in $100.

“God has provided for us,” Tommy Kimball said. “We want to help in a little way.”

Kimball said his son loved children, even before his cancer diagnosis at age 29.

He said when they would go out to eat, Todd would always find a kid and try to make him smile, generally by taking money out of his wallet.

Todd also donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

By giving to the Christmas Happiness Fund, the Kimballs continue what Todd did before his death.

Tommy Kimball said the donation allows Todd to still make an impact on someone’s life, even though he is gone.

The donation also helps his former classmates and friends to remember him.

His memory lives on in the form of a small business Todd founded. Kimball Screen Printing was started in his parents’ basement in 1986. Tommy Kimball went to work for his son’s business. The business, which is in Granite Quarry, was later taken over by some of Todd’s high school classmates.

The Christmas Happiness Fund assists families in need during the holidays so they can buy Christmas gifts for their children. The fund was started 67 years ago by a Salisbury Post editor as a way to help the less fortunate in the community. The Salisbury Post collects donations, and the Salvation Army distributes the money to local families.

Contributions to the Christmas Happiness Fund 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 and indicate how you want your donation listed.

Today’s donations

• In memory of Howard E. and Norma Jean Fetterman by their grandchildren, $250

• In memory of my husband, Robert Reid, by Vickie Reid, $100

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

 • In memory of Betty Fesperman by grandkids Siera and Ethen Fesperman, David Graham, Harley Gagnier, great-grandkids Altas and Emery Gagnier and husband Harold Fesperman, $100

• Mount Moriah Lutheran Church, $361.82

• In loving memory of Jim, Sue and Mac Sample and Annette and H.B. Bryan by Sue and Sturges Bryan, $100

• In loving memory of our son, Jim Bryan, by Sue and Sturges Bryan, $100 

• In honor of the Rev. Robert Freeman for all his hard work by the Rowan County Senior Democrats, $100

Today’s total: $1,363.82

Running total: $11,105.15