The Andrews Foundation recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of giving back to the community, recalling recent achievements in the southeast from Casey, to Dandenong and Cardinia.
In the City of Casey, the foundation has been a strong and long-time supporter of the Endeavour Hills-based Andrews Centre, with member Jan Trezise saying that “it was a grant from the Foundation that ‘kick-started’ what has not become a large community-based organisation”.
“One that is run by volunteers and provides a whole range of services to families in need, including emergency relief, meals, accommodation, free car loans, community gardens, counselling, educational support programs and more,” she said.
Founded by the late Ron Andrews in 1984, the Foundation’s vision stems from philanthropic roots, supporting local community projects and organisations through grants.
From health, education, aged care, to environmental and local heritage initiatives, the Foundation, according to Trezise, sees this as its core mission.
In Cardinia Shire, its Deep Creek Reserve Indigenous Nursery in Pakenham, which the Cardinia Environment Coalition runs, has been a beneficiary of the Foundation’s contributions, with a CEC spokesperson acknowledging the boon.
“Our Nursery would not have opened with other facilities at Deep Creek Reserve without support,” the spokesperson said.
“A generous pledge from the Andrews Foundation encouraged further assistance from other donors, and they have continued their involvement by assisting financially with other infrastructure projects,” they said.
In the City of Greater Dandenong, the Cornerstone Contact Centre has been a beneficiary, providing support to those without a home and those experiencing disadvantage.
A spokesperson from Cornerstone said that they have been “privileged to receive support from the Foundation”.
“One of the really exciting things about the focus of the Foundation is their commitment to funding small, medium-scale organisations.
“Organisations that don’t necessarily receive much government funding are perhaps driven by a strong culture of volunteerism, and small grassroots organisations,” they said.
Going back to Casey and the Andrews Centre, Trezise said that it has been able to assist “thousands over the past 30 years, including people of all ages with all sorts of different crises”.
Looking ahead, the Foundation aims to continue its support, with its mission a continuous journey to help others.
