Tragedy leads to charity for Lily family
By Dean Manning / Staff Writer
Joyce Graham-Smith knows what it's like to lose your home and everything you own, and wonder where to go for help.
The Lily resident said her home was destroyed in a fire. Since she had no insurance, she didn’t know how she would take care of herself or her family.
She gives credit to the community, which helped her with necessities until she could get back on her feet.
Since help came when she needed it, Graham-Smith is trying to ensure it continues to go around, co-founding “For the Love of a Child” with her husband Charles.
The organization, run out of their home, collects clothing, furniture, toys and other necessities and makes them available to people in need.
“To receive help from us, they have to show there is a need and then provide a phone number of someone who can verify the need,” Graham-Smith said.
In the event of a house fire, she said, someone from the fire department could verify the need. Requests for help have come through other places such as family resource centers at area schools.
Within the last week, Graham-Smith said a family of six who had lost everything in a house fire called seeking help. The organization was able to provide clothes, shoes, toiletry items and toys for the children.
“When we talk about providing the necessities, we include toys,” Graham-Smith said. “Kids need to have toys to play with.”
Graham-Smith said family and friends have been an invaluable resource, including her best friend Judy Burkhart, who has taken on the responsibility of seeking donations from area businesses. Burkhart said her belief that “the worst people can say is ‘no,’” makes her a natural at helping to raise funds.
Graham-Smith said the organization needs donations, including clothing, particularly for older children, shoes, furniture, appliances, toys and personal hygiene items. In addition, Graham-Smith said cleaning products will be appreciated.
Donations to the non-profit organization are tax deductible.
Any donated clothing is washed before it is given away, and donations created almost 30 loads of laundry last week.
Volunteers who can donate time to help would also be appreciated, Graham-Smith said.
For additional information, call 862-6162.
Dean Manning can be reached at dmanning@thetimestribune.com.
