June 9, 2015
Staff from Murgon’s Graham House were overjoyed at the Mayor’s Charity Ball last month when a cheque for $15,000 was presented to them for their “Warm for Winter” project.
The project aims to provide blankets to those in need. In the past, Graham House has been dependent on donations of blankets, but this year there had been none made.
“We have had an increase of people coming in sourcing blankets for their children and/or themselves,” Graham House manager Linda O’Hare said.
“Emergency Relief funding is used to assist clients in other areas of financial crises however it is not always possible for us to find or purchase clothing, beds and bedding for them due to our limited budget.”
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said attendees at the Ball heard a story about a single mother with four children who uses aluminium foil to fill gaps in the walls and has concrete floors with no carpets.
“This is one of many cases being experienced in the South Burnett, and why we established the Mayor’s Community Benefit Fund and hold events such as the Gala Ball – to help those in need,” he said.
Linda said donations of blankets could make a great difference, helping to prevent illness and provide warmth for the winter months.
“The added extra to this funding, is that the articles are being purchased locally, supporting our small businesses who are also doing it tough,” Mayor Kratzmann said.
“If we can help each other in any way we can, together we’ll make the South Burnett a better place to live.”
