Williams family donation to ElectricAid
The family of the late Jack Williams, who served as ESB secretary, has commemorated their father in a very special way. In a gesture of the rarest generosity, they have donated €200,000 to ElectricAid. This wonderful donation has allowed ElectricAid directly fund three very significant projects:
Barnardo's has a national focus on the welfare of children and has been funded in the past by ElectricAid. Barnardo's received €85,000 (€75,000 from the Williams donation) for the development and continuation of the Cottage Child Care Project for at-risk and abused children in Dún Laoghaire. This donation has secured the future of this critical service.
The Simon Community received €85,000 (€75,000 from the Williams donation) to expand their detox and rehabilitation service in Usher's Island. This funding will allow up to 60 homeless people with alcohol and drug addiction issues take the critical first steps off the streets and towards sobriety.
The Peter McVerry Trust received €60,000 (€50,000 from the Williams donation) towards the acquisition of a two-bedroom unit of transitional accommodation. This funding will allow more homeless people to move out of hostel accommodation into supported but independent life, thus breaking the cycle of repeat homelessness.
Bill Clinton has just published a book titled Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, which reveals the extraordinary and innovative efforts now being made by companies and organisations - and by individuals - to solve problems and to save lives both "down the street and around the world". The book urges us to seek out what each of us, 'regardless of income, available time, age, and skills', can do to help to give people a chance to live out their dreams. The Williams family, in memory of the late Jack, are giving back on a magnificent scale to the community that fostered and grew him.
ElectricAid is delighted to be a part of this and to making this a better place for children, for homeless people and for us all. On our own behalf, and on behalf of the beneficiaries whose lives will be turned around, ElectricAid thanks the Williams family for their humbling generosity.
