WHAT Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich is calling on local business people to step up and swap their cosy beds for a cardboard box to support the Vinnies Corporate & Community Sleepout on 8 August.

This is such an important cause and we’re looking for additional sleepers to brave the cold and experience what more than 1,600 Sunshine Coast men, women and children experience every night.  Or if people would like to support by way of donations they would be much appreciated too. 🙂

We hope to see you there!

WHEN TOMORROW, 10.30am – 11.00am, Friday 19 July 2019
WHERE The beach in front of the Maroochy Surf Life Saving Club where the Sleepout will take place on 8 August.
WHO –         Sandy Zubrinich, SC Business Council Chair

–         Bridget Murphy, SCBC Board Member

–         Dr Steven Boyd, University of the Sunshine Coast

–         Paul Fisher, CEO of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sunshine Coast

VISION ‘Sleepers’ will have sleeping bags and beanies on the beach and will be able to show where they will be sleeping on the night.
MORE INFO Please see media release below.
CONTACT Maya Gurry, Fresh PR & Marketing  M: 0410 109 102  E: maya@freshprm.com.au

 

Media release

Vinnies Corporate & Community Sleepout

Local businesses told to step up and sleep rough for homelessness

A warm bed and a roof over your head can easily be taken for granted but unfortunately for 1,600 Sunshine Coast people it’s far from reach.

Local businesses have been urged to join up to the 2019 Vinnies Corporate and Community Sleepout on Thursday, 8 August at Maroochydore Beach.

Sunshine Coast Business Council’s Sandy Zubrinich said with less than three weeks to go, local business people are urged to step up and swap their cosy beds for a cardboard box.

“The Sleepout isn’t easy but when you consider 22,000 people are homeless in Queensland, you know raising money for them is worth one cold night,” said Ms Zubrinich.

“The statistics are heartbreaking. The Australian Bureau of Statistics show 23.5 per cent of homeless people are under the age of 18.

“They could be your son, daughter, brother or sister. These people need our help and one night of discomfort can make a world of difference.”

All money raised will go towards St Vincent de Paul which is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping the most vulnerable in our community.

The charity has a big task on its hands, with the rate of homelessness increasing 13.7 per cent from 2011 until 2016 which means every donation is crucial.

At the 2018 Sleepout the Sunshine Coast Business Council team consisted of 21 local dignitaries, business people and community members who all helped to raise awareness and $26,500 in cash for the homeless men, women and children sleeping rough on the Coast.

“We’re very proud to be a part of this initiative and know our team’s contribution is an important part of the fundraising efforts,” said Ms Zubrinich.

“We can’t do it without the help of the business community so I challenge all local businesses to rally support within their teams and take to the beach for a very important cause,” said Ms Zubrinich.

“It’s a great team-building exercise when you are all contributing to a cause and spending the night alongside one another on the beach.  Those who participate are always grateful for the opportunity to walk in the shoes of someone who has nowhere to go ― it’s a real eye-opener and I encourage anyone thinking about it to sign up and join us.

“Having shelter is a basic human right but many of us take it for granted so this is a great opportunity to commit to one night of discomfort knowing you could make a difference to so many fellow Sunshine Coast locals.”

This year St Vincent de Paul is hoping to expand the number of affordable housing options on the Sunshine Coast and build units on a piece of land in Nambour.

To donate to the cause, register to participate or find our more, please visit www.communitysleepout.org.au. The Sunshine Coast Business Council encourages those from the local business community to sign up as part of their team.