By MELISSA MEEHAN
THE generosity of a local family will help those with disabilities get out about in the community.
Mount Evelyn based not-for-profit organisation, Melba Support Services, received a $50,000 donation from the family of one their clients in gratitude for their support over the years.
Their son David, lives in one of Melba’s supported living accommodation services in Mooroolbark and he also uses Melba’s Individual Support Arrangements program.
Through this program, David, together with his friends and family, determine how his funding package is best spent to ensure that he is doing all of the things that are important to him.
“David is a young man with a strong sense of presence,” Melba’s CEO, Glenn Foard said.
“He is well known in his community and for many years he has been involved in a variety of community programs.
“His work with the Animal Aid and BlueCross dogs’ refuges – engaging and socialising with dogs up for adoption, helping them become familiar with wheelchairs – is incredibly valuable.”
From advocating for increased disability parking at shopping centres and the return of the disability sailing program at Lilydale Lake, David has influential presence in the community.
In 2012 the Rotary Club Southern District commended David’s community work and awarded him their Shine-On Award.
David’s parents Graham and Anne-Marie are his number one supporters and work closely with Melba in ensuring his life is full of things that make him happy.
“David draws people into his world,” Graham said.
“David has many friends and cannot go far at a shopping centre without bumping into someone he knows. He’s always stopping to say ‘Hi’ wherever we are.
“Melba supports David in a way that enables his true character to shine, helping him to connect to his community, and we are very grateful for that.”
Mr Foard said the very generous donation of $50,000 will be used to purchase a new vehicle.
Melba works with people with complex support needs, assisting them to have valued roles within their communities.
The vehicles are used seven days a week to help people access their community, whether that is for work, recreation or other services.
“Melba provides support to over 130 people with intellectual and physical disabilities within the Yarra Ranges and surrounding areas,” Mr Foard said.
“Ensuring that we have safe, reliable and specially-tailored vehicles to assist us in helping each person to make meaningful connections with their community, is essential.
“We thank Graham, Anne-Marie and David for their very generous support of Melba. The assistance we receive in the form of donations – large and small – and the time that volunteers commit make a huge difference to the lives of people we support.”
Anyone who is interested in finding out how they, too, can support Melba and our work can contact 9760 8200.
