Sunshine Coast Business Council members are gearing up for the 2023 Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise awareness and funds for the more than 1,650* people experiencing homelessness on the Sunshine Coast each night.
With homelessness becoming an unwelcome reality for many on the Sunshine Coast, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout on 22 June will raise urgent financial support to provide accommodation, food and essential services to the most vulnerable in the community.
Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) Chair Sandy Zubrinich said she was looking forward to this year’s event, taking place outside the Maroochydore Surf Club, where it is expected representatives of local businesses, community members, and dignitaries will spend a night with just a sleeping bag, a sheet of cardboard, a cup of soup and slice of bread.
“The Sleepout isn’t easy as we are all used to our nice beds and warm doonas but nothing can give you a better idea of what homeless people deal with every night than sleeping rough yourself – and then thinking about the long-term impact that would have when you’re doing it night after night,” said Ms Zubrinich.
“Vinnies tell us that requests for homelessness support increased 22 per cent in the last five years in Queensland – nearly three times the national average – and with the number of people moving here and limited availability of affordable accommodation that number will just continue to rise.
“We have men, women, youths and young children homeless on the Sunshine Coast every day and raising money for them is very much worth one cold and uncomfortable night. All funds raised will go towards providing emergency accommodation for local families who would otherwise be sleeping rough.
“The Sunshine Coast Business Council is very proud to support this important initiative. Our team’s target is to raise $50,000, up 25 per cent from the $40,000 we raised in 2019, and every dollar counts towards helping local people get off the streets.”
“However, numbers registering to sleep out for Vinnies and our regional homeless this year are unexpectedly low and with barely a month to go, the Business Council is calling on our members and those of the various Chambers of Commerce to join the team and help out. And if you can’t sleep out yourself, then please support someone who has registered to do so. We need to do all we can to reach our target of $50,000 and we have a very long way to go.”
Matt Byrne from Stockland, one of the participants and supporters of the event, believes that it’s crucial for businesses to support local initiatives that make a tangible difference in the community.
“Several members of the Stockland Sunshine Coast team have participated in the Sleepout for many years as part of this great Vinnies initiative to raise funds for those finding themselves without a roof over their head in our region,” said Mr Byrne.
“We believe that this event is a small way to give back to help keep individuals and families off the streets while we all continue working towards more sustainable solutions for housing options to prevent homelessness in our region.”
The Vinnies Community Sleepout is a chance for the Sunshine Coast community to unite and make a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and the SCBC encourages all individuals and businesses to get involved and help make a positive change in the community.
To support the Sunshine Coast Business Council team, please donate at https://shorturl.at/rvFQU.
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SOURCE:
* https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Living-and-Community/Community-Support/homelessness
