Who Was Dr. Robert “Bob” Graham and
how was he connected to our Boys & Girls Club?
Dr. Graham was a longtime seasonal Lake Toxaway resident who was committed to helping people discover their potential, believe in themselves, and succeed, whether in the classroom, business world, or on the golf course. His industriousness and endlessly energetic efforts to foster community made the Lake Toxaway Wednesday men's golf group, a.k.a the Graham Crackers golf group, into a highly active and inclusive space where all members, whether new or longstanding, could come and play. Bob's impactful work will continue through the education and leadership oriented non-profit he founded and in the sustained and meaningful ways that he gave back as a board member of various business and philanthropic organizations, including United Bank in McLean, LETS Go Boys and Girls, Hillsborough Education Foundation of Tampa, Save Our Students (SOS), Tiger Impact Group (Rosman Tigers) and the Transylvania County Educational School Foundation. In July 2023, our Executive Director, Sarah St. Marie, Dr. Graham, and Lake Toxaway Charities began discussing an idea to make our Boys & Girls Club more appealing logistically to the families of the remoter areas of the Rosman and Lake Toxaway areas of Transylvania County. The idea included a new bus for safer transportation as well as a satellite pickup and drop-off location for these families. The day after this first discussion, Dr. Graham unexpectedly passed away. Hearing of the bus idea, Dr. Graham’s friends from near and far began to send donations to our Club to support the cost of a new bus. Within 6 weeks our Boys & Girls Club had received enough donations in memory of Dr. Graham to fund a brand new bus! This tournament is a way to honor him and to continue his legacy of support to our local youth of Transylvania County through The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County.
On Thursday Febraury 1st, 2024 the highly anticipated "Dr. Bob Graham Bus" was delivered to our Boys & Girls Club! (pictured below) His legacy lives on through his many friends near and far that stepped up to support the funding of a new bus for our Club. Bob's legacy continues to inspire people near and far to support his vision!
