The Vinnies CEO Sleepout for 2019 is being held on Thursday, June 20 at the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This will be the ninth Sleepout to be held in Tasmania, raising funds and awareness of people in our community that are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
Registrations are now open, and Vinnies are calling on all business managers, community leaders and CEOs to join and help fight homelessness.
Deloitte partner, Stuart Dare is getting ready for his third CEO Sleepout.
"It is such a rewarding experience," he said.
"Our Launceston office has a really strong relationship with Vinnies, and the Sleepout is just one of many fundraising and volunteering initiatives that we are involved in.
"What I find most rewarding is that I know we are supporting an organisation that is actively supporting our community."
Once every month, a group of Deloitte employees give up their day to volunteer in the Vinnies food van.
The team of four give up about two and a half hours to prepare sandwiches and soup to take to those in need.
They got involved through the company's Impact Day, where they take one day a year to help make the community better; this has now progressed to a monthly initiative.
Mr Dare said Deloitte's relationship with Vinnies had helped them to give back more than once a year and to see first-hand how money raised as a result of the Sleepout was utilised locally.
"Our experience with the Vinnies van has put us are the forefront to see some of those issues first-hand," he said.
"The Sleepout is nothing compared to what these people in our community go through, but even after one night, you come away with a better understanding."
Mr Dare said he would encourage all community and business leaders to give up one night of comfort for a great cause.
"I think anyone that is in a position to help, whether you are a community or a business leader, we are in quite a privileged position and it is a good opportunity to give back," he said.
"If you are sitting on the fence about taking part, remember it is only one night, you come away a lot more informed about the issues happening in our community that we may not necessarily see on a day-to-day basis.
"All the money raised goes back into our community and really makes a difference."
To register, donate or for more information about the Sleepout see: ceosleepout.org.au.