Respond! 25th Anniversary

RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF WATERFORD FOR A QUARTER OF A CENTURY


Respond!, Ireland’s largest Housing Association, this year marks its 25th anniversary with a series of events throughout the county and province. The housing charity which was formed in Waterford in 1982, plans on the marking the event in the city by hosting a Summer Gathering in the Faithlegg House Hotel on Sunday, August 26th 2007.

From humble beginnings of church collections and knocking on people’s doors, the housing association has grown to become Ireland’s largest provider of social housing with 3500 units of accommodation throughout the country and a further 1500 under construction. With a head office in Dominick Place, Waterford, Respond! has provided accommodation to more than 1000 in the city and county since the 1980s.

Pat Cogan, founder and Managing Director of Respond! said: “We are delighted to be celebrating Respond!’s 25th anniversary and the achievements of the organisation over the past quarter century. However, it is important that we acknowledge those who supported Respond! from the beginning through volunteering and fundraising and we hope to achieve this with our Function in the Faithlegg House Hotel.”

Early Respond! fundraising included door collections, Christmas crib, sponsored fasts, golf classics and car draws. However, names and contact details of some early volunteers were not recorded by the organisation and Respond! are anxious that these people are acknowledged and thanked for their valuable contribution to the housing association.

“As we plan on thanking all of those who volunteered with Respond! in the past, if anyone was involved over the past 25 years, we would be grateful if you could contact the organisation so that your contribution can be recognised,” Mr Cogan added.
“Respond! has always believed that people are our greatest asset and we feel it is essential that we acknowledge and rejoice this so if have volunteered with us, please contact us at 0818 3597901, or write to us at Airmount, Dominick Place, Waterford.”

There are many other events taking place throughout the country to mark Respond!’s Jubilee celebrations including an International Conference, National Communities Award on Respond! estates, National Children’s Art Competition for younger residents and much much more.