By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
IT MAY sound like a bit of charitable backscratching – a charity stalwart being crowned with the Rotary Club of Springvale City’s community service award last month.
Joe Rechichi has been given the Paul Harris award for his long community service, including 20-plus years with Springvale Benevolent Society.
On call 24/7 as president of the volunteer-run charity, Mr Rechichi makes house calls with food and other necessities to needy families.
The charity spends about $100,000 a year as well as giving away donated food, blankets, furniture and whitegoods. It helps about 5000 individuals – including asylum seekers, working poor and single parents.
It runs on donations, from private sources and all tiers of government – with administrative costs kept to a bare minimum.
“We give out to the community everything it needs from everything that we receive,” Mr Rechichi said.
Rotary Club of Springvale City vice-president Loc Lam said Mr Rechichi had been awarded for tirelessly heading the “popular” charity for the past 10 years.
Mr Lam’s own club of 10 members pulls its own weight, raising funds at its fortnightly Sunday markets at Sandown Greyhounds car park.
Springvale Benevolent Society holds its AGM at Springvale Senior Citizens Club, 3 The Crescent on 23 September at 7pm.
To join Rotary Club of Springvale City, call Mr Lam on 0425 806 006.
