This article was first published in the July 2022 issue of AP, authored by Kellie Northwood
In January, The Real Media Collective (TRMC) issued a call out to all of industry to consider joining the Print Industry CEO Sleepout Team to raise money for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. Without pause, the industry support began.
For those not familiar, the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout is a one-night event on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year – on 23June. It involves hundreds of CEOs, business owners, community and government leaders sleeping outdoors, without shelter, to support Australians who are experiencing homelessness.
Each participant commits to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide products and services to those in need, and The Real Media Collective formed an industry team across members and non-members.
The three individuals who joined the Print Industry CEO Sleepout Team this year were Rodney Frost (The Lamson Group), Graham Morgan (Morgan Shaw Consulting) and Michael Schulz (SOS Print Media Group).
They all have participated in the past and from their year-on-year commitments, raised $259,541.
With Frost heralding the longest tenure of completing 15 consecutive years, Morgan was not far behind on 12 consecutive years, myself on five years and Schulz on his second year this year.
Collectively, the team raised $47,849, which is a massive effort and a solid contribution to the $9,522,355 raised nationally by Vinnies. Across the funds the team raised, with industry donor support, 150 Individual Support Programs have been funded, 396 beds have been provided and 1,594 meals have been. We thank every one of you who supported us.
This was the first of many years to come and I hope we can build the print industry representation next year with the ultimate goal to have four to five people in each state and territory raising money for our most vulnerable each June.
The event is quite humbling and is an experience worth considering. From registration and throughout the fund-raising journey, Vinnies provides full support. It shares social media tiles, tips to raise money, content across how to draft emails, engage colleagues, understand the facts and statistics of homelessness across Australia, as well as the Vinnies programs your fund-raising will support.
The actual night is the time to rug up. On arrival, you are seated in small groups with other CEOs, GMs and participating industry leaders to hear the story of a person who has been homeless or sleeping with insecurity (17,700 Australians are ‘couch-surfing’ and given the instability of their day-to-day sleeping, are homeless).
These provide you an immediate understanding and insight into why you are involved in this charity, what people are experiencing and the support they have received from Vinnies to then turn their opportunities around.
You then go through media – a moment of fame – then to find your bed. A quiet warning – do not choose your sleeping area with Frost or Morgan. They are the ‘Bear Grylls’ of the CEO Sleepout looking for the coldest, wettest corners, preferring to fully embrace the experience.
I say stick with people like myself who seek shelter and a wind break. With your two pieces of cardboard, sleeping bag, beanie and water, you build your shelter. One piece of cardboard goes on the ground and the other is bent to form a triangular roof for your head. These cardboards are supplied by industry partners Visy.
In the centre hall area, families and individuals further share their journies from homelessness to today. These stories are more than ‘feel good’; they are humbling, reflective and incredibly inspirational.
The soup kitchen and the most amazing cookies are also handed out with hot tea and coffee, which I recommend grabbing just to keep your hands warm, before a quiet natter amongst ourselves.
Sleep is what it is after and a warm ‘gunfire’ brekkie is served the next day before dashing home for a hot shower and central heating – something the very people you have raised the money for will not enjoy.
So, consider it, join the team, or reach out to us with questions. Our entire team is more than willing to share their experiences with you. I hope you will join us next year in this worthy cause.
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