Last night, exposed to the bone-chilling winter elements in Sandton, Volkswagen Group South Africa’s Managing Director Thomas Schaefer together with over 240 other South African business leaders, experienced a night out in Joburg like no other. Instead of enjoying all the activity in the city, they slept out on a piece of cardboard with just a mug of soup for comfort.
At the inaugural 702 Sun International CEO SleepOut, they rose to the challenge of sleeping out on one of the coldest nights, as thousands of homeless do, united for the cause of vulnerable and homeless children.
The business leaders participating not only aimed to create much-needed awareness for this cause, but they also undertook to personally raise R100 000 before the actual sleepout. They were encouraged to reach out to their business, professional and personal networks to raise the funds.
Volkswagen Group South Africa’s employees also dug deep and together, managed to raise over R25 000 to contribute to the cause.
On the night, the CEO SleepOut aimed to raise R25 million for its beneficiary partner, Girls & Boys Town.
Girls & Boys Town (GBT) are an ideal beneficiary partner for the CEO SleepOut as they drive social change by making a marked difference in the lives of the vulnerable girls and boys of any race, social level or area in South Africa. This non-profit organisation’s 57-year legacy is about healing, growing and helping vulnerable, unsafe and marginalised youth.
More than 20 000 beneficiaries are assisted every year by GBT. The programme cares for over 250 girls and boys daily through 10 therapeutic, residential centres were children are placed via the Children’s Courts.
GBT also partners with 800 schools and some 11 000 educators, together assisting 350 000 learners through training and support well-managed schools, learner retention and social and academic achievement.
The CEO SleepOut is a worldwide campaign which aims to raise awareness, support and funding for the homeless, especially vulnerable children.
“A most humbling and interesting evening that puts into perspective the hardship that so many people endure, which most of us never think about. At the same time, the fact that more than 240 CEOs took this call so seriously, gives me great hope for the future of this country,” commented Thomas Schaefer, VWSA Managing Director.
Heeding the call to sleep on the streets was VWSA Managing Director, Thomas Schaefer and Mercedes Benz South Africa Managing Director, Arno van der Merwe.
Alan Straton
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