Schulz joins TRMC CEO Sleepout team
The Real Media Collective has a new team member to support its efforts to raise money across the 2022 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, with Michael Schulz, general manager of The SOS Print + Media Group, joining the team.
This will be Schulz’s second year participating in the fundraiser after raising over $6,000 last year. He will be joining veteran sleepout sleeper, Rodney Frost, CEO, The Lamson Group, in Sydney, and Schulz is seeking to beat his efforts last year.
He said, “I experienced my first CEO Sleepout in 2021 and it was an incredible eye-opener for me. This is a terrific cause and the actual night is one I highly recommend people become involved in, informative and resonates with the reason we are all behind this important charity.”
The Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout is a one-night event on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year – 23 June. 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.
The Real Media Collective has formed an industry team. Kellie Northwood, CEO, TRMC, is no stranger to the CEO Sleepout having first participated in 2011 and subsequently in 2012 and 2014. “We are aiming to have at least one industry representative in each State and Territory. So far, we have Melbourne and Sydney covered – that’s a call out for our members across Brisbane, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and the territories – come and join the team and let’s raise some good monies for a great cause. Our industry has a history of great generosity and coming together to raise money for a good cause can only be a good thing,” commented Northwood.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness. Of these, 60 per cent are under 35, 44 per cent are women and 13 per cent are under 12 years old.
Rodney Frost, CEO of The Lamson Group, has raised $150,000 in funds across some 14 years. “Driven from our family’s past, I am a huge supporter of this charity and this event. I call on all readers, to consider being a part of it and to experience a night they will never forget. We want the leaders of our industry to come together and be part of the team. Reach out, I’m more than happy to share my experience of being involved,” said Frost.
On the night, participants will learn about homelessness in Australia, the work that Vinnies does and how businesses and communities can play large roles in reducing homelessness. Participants will also engage with those who have been homeless, learning about their struggles and experiences. Then it is time to head out and see what it is like to sleep outside in the cold.
Leading up to the event, participants will gather support and raise money. These donations will help Vinnie’s local, volunteer-run services provide food, accommodation, utilities and essential services to people at risk and experiencing homelessness. “If you are unable to Sleepout, you can still support this industry initiative and donate to the team. Every dollar helps, please give generously. We will be giving a shout out to our supporters as we progress and are looking to run some live feeds on the night across the country,” said Northwood.
To register interest to Sleepout, contact hello@thermc.com.au. If you can’t make the Sleepout – please donate to the team.