Joan Graham lost her home to a blaze in June, but has received support from friends, family and local organisations, including the Lions Club and Lioness Club of Endeavour Hills. (Back) Lions Club member Luke Donnellan with Lioness Club members Pauline Spry, Lyn Barker and Margaret Tosh. 89471 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
By LIA SPENCER
A WOMAN who has had over 300 foster children and lost her home in a blaze this year has been overwhelmed with community support.
Endeavour Hills Lioness Club member Joan Graham lost her Devon Meadow’s house in a blaze in June.
Since then, she has received support and donations from her community, friends, family and the Devon Meadows Primary School. And this month, the Endeavour Hills Lioness Club and the local community will be coming together to lend a helping hand.
The club will be holding a dinner to help raise funds to help Mrs Graham through this difficult time as she rebuilds her home.
Mrs Graham said she tried to talk the club out of the fundraiser, but they insisted.
“They have been incredible. Everyone has been so nice,” Mrs Graham said.
“Things have been tough, but we do what we can and soldier on and make the best out of what we got.”
Mrs Graham said she had been living in a rental property in Clyde with two foster children, aged 5 and 7. She said it was “cruel” to watch her burnt-out house get demolished recently, but hoped to rebuild a home in Devon Meadows. Mrs Graham said she received several donations, but would need to purchase some items, such as furniture and appliances, before she moved into a new house.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, a member of the Endeavour Hills Lions Club, said it was a great show of community support to see the Lioness Club organise a dinner to raise funds for Mrs Graham.
“Mrs Graham has devoted her life to looking after others, so it’s only right that the community is helping to give back to her after this tragedy,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The work of the Lioness Club to help support Mrs Graham shows the true spirit of the local community, and I’m happy to support this dinner to help Mrs Graham.”
The Endeavour Hills Lioness Club is holding the dinner to support Mrs Graham on 21 November at Clover Cottage, 54 Manuka Road, Berwick.
The dinner will be $50 per head, with drinks at bar prices and raffles on the night. Payment is requested to be made prior to the date.
To RSVP, contact either Karen McIntosh on 0432 716 399 or Pauline Spry on 0438 700 168.
