As many Illawarra bosses prepare to spend a winter night sleeping out in the cold at the Wollongong Innovation Campus on June 17 one couple are preparing to raise funds for the homeless by spending the night with their children in the backyard at home.
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Inspired by her previous involvement in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout Lauren Buhagiar, of Active Property Conveyancing, asked her partner Matthew Clark, of RAMS Home Loans Wollongong, if he wanted to be involved this year.
Together they thought it might be a great idea to help other people and families by fundraising as a family and start an age appropriate conversation with their children Emily and Liam about the growing need for help and support in the community.
"Matt and I decided to participate and then we asked the kids if they wanted to be involved," Ms Buhagiar said.
"They are very kind hearted so I knew they would want to join us. We wanted them to know not just about homelessness, but why people could be homeless and what we can do to help.
"There are around 1400 people who were homeless in the Illawarra last year, even before the effects of COVID. That is an astonishing number.
"If we can educate the children on why it is important to raise funds and the great work that Vinnies does, and how us raising money for Vinnies can help the homeless then that is a great way to not only educate our children but to encourage others to fundraise and start having conversations with their children."
Ms Buhagiar said Emily and Liam were very eager to participate.
"They are trying to think of ways to fundraise themselves including selling cupcakes or an orange juice stand," she said.
"Emily came up with the idea for us collect the money we get from recycling our cans and bottles at Vinnies or Woolworths and donate that money which is a great idea.
"Emily and Liam's school, The Illawarra Grammar School, have been very supportive and have offered to hold beanie day where all the children can wear a beanie to school and donate a gold coin which will go towards our fundraising total which is just fantastic."
The family has raised almost $2000 and has set itself a goal of $5000.
You can sponsor the family here.
Vinnies is presently calling for more community and business leaders to sign up for the 16th annual sleepout and for people to support them with a donation to the cause.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW chief executive Jack de Groot said most of the fundraisers will gather at the Innovation Campus after work on June 17 to spend the night in the cold.
Mr de Groot said calls for assistance traditionally increase at this time of year and this was a chance for the community to make life a little easier during the colder months for those doing it tough.
"Every winter we see people seeking assistance with electricity bills, warm clothing and other items that most of us take for granted in order to combat the cold. Australia is such a generous country, but sadly there are many who struggle to get by which is why the work we do is so important to ensure people can live with dignity."
Despite being a virtual sleepout in 2020 because of the coronavirus St Vincent de Paul Society was able to provide $1.3 million in financial assistance to more than 6,600 people in the region because of the generous community.
"We were able to continue funding the Vinnies Van in Wollongong and support men experiencing or at risk of homelessness with crisis accommodation at John Purcell House in Nowra," Mr de Groot said.
"I would love to see as many CEOs and business leaders as possible brave the cold for a night and raise funds and awareness for homelessness."
This year local fundraisers with the support of the community will help Vinnies provide crisis accommodation, food, healthcare, education and support to secure permanent housing and other assistance to people experiencing homelessness.
Business and community leaders can register to fundraise as individuals or teams at www.ceosleepout.org.au.
Wollongong and Shellharbour residents can also support those doing it tough this winter by donating hoodies for the homeless. Donations can be made to Wave FM until June 17 and will be distributed by Vinnies.
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