702 Sun International CEO Sleep out Johannesburg
This was such an exciting global event which has already raised millions of dollars worldwide and continues to grow. This event challnages buisness leaders to join the global movement and look beyond the profits to purpose.
The CEO SleepOut™ which originated in Australia ten year ago when CEO Bernard Fehon decided that he wanted to do more than just riase money for charity. he wanted to raise awarness. He jokes that he could not run or swim, or even climb a mountain for that mater, to raise funds but he most certainly knew how to sleep. An so the global event was born and 702 Sun International had now brought this exciting event to our shores.
So how does it work?
In order for a CEO to book their palce to sleep under African Stars for one freezing night they need to cough up R100 000 to bring hope and a home to many of our South African's most vulnerable children. This year this event hit the shores of South Africa for the first time and will benefit the Girls and Boys Town Foundation. The funds could either be donated by the CEO's compoanies CSI budget or from their own personal funds, or raised by activating various business contacts and network.
The venue: Gwen Lane, Sandton
Date: Thursday the 18th June 2015
Eatfresh were proud to play a part in the CEO SleepOver by cooking soup and food for the CEO's at Discovery. A mammoth 25 million was raised for the Girls and Boys Town Foundation
...........and it begins for the Discovery CEO's
our chefs at our Eatfresh Discovery site in Alice Lane, Sandton cooking up a storm!!
Elmien
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| Images of the CEOs on the street are embedded below, and were provided courtesy of Radio 702's Aki Anastasiou, CEO SleepOut, ProudlySA, and LeadSA. |
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| #CEOSleepOutZA CEO's preparing to leave. Well done again! @SleepOutZA @Radio702 @MillionThrills pic.twitter.com/NNtxMTCnMM |
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| Images of the CEOs on the street are embedded below, and were provided courtesy of Radio 702's Aki Anastasiou, CEO SleepOut, ProudlySA, and LeadSA. |
The sleep out took part on the Streets of Sandton, were many of South Africa's top CEO's, the movers and shakers got to experience a night out on the streets, under our African stars, in our chilly winter. The night was really cold, freezing temperatures actually, and armed with a sleeping bag and cardboard box and a chance to huddle near a street fire was the order of the night. Many with rosy faces, both men and women and one CEO even wore a "onesie" , which I'm sure was an order from her staff to raise more money. Got to love it.
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| image The 702 Sun International CEO SleepOut |
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Many people thought this was a fantastic idea, I certainly did, yes it was true that they were not on the real filthy and dangerous streets of the inner city of Johannesburg where I work, but that was not really the point. It was a unique adventure taking a bunch of very successful and wealthy businessmen, and for the most part individuals now used to the trappings of life out of their usual comfort zone to freeze out on the streets of Jozi, albeit Sandton the financial hub. Where they were going to do this was not really the issue here, the fact was that these guys raised millions of money.
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I was saddened to read several people doubting the authenticity of the event but lets get real here you are not about to take CEO's of huge corporates and knowingly put them in present danger, we need to understand here that these folk all huddled together in their cardboard boxes and sleeping bags around the fire represent both directly and indirectly billions of capital. The Premier of Gauteng as well as the Mayor of Johannesburg were also in the mix. Now that would be absurd. When you climb a mountain, run a race or take part in an event for charity you are not expected to use a trail scattered with landmines now are you. The aim was to raise money and to create as much awareness of the plight of vulnrable children in South Africa, many of them living on the streets. Our CEO most certainly did that in volumes!
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These are the big deal makers who would often compete against each other, in the boardroom or in the media, who were for now, sitting for one night unitied for a single cause around the fires, sharing stories and listening to some street people and kids from the Girls and Boys Town Foundation sharing theirs. For the most part it looked like our beloved and forgotten Ubuntu was very much alive and what an amazing way to see all the shiney eyes, dreams and smiles in union with each other for a common cause.
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Some did try to sleep, but the hard and cold tar road was not making it easy for them and many were simply moving around like a dog does, turning in circles until their spot is conformable. The cardboard boxes offered a little tunnel bit where the CEO's could bury their heads and try and shut out the wind, cold, noise and light. Very few managed a few moments of sleep and some just gave up to sit around the fires. I am sure that many deals and big things were discussed around those fires. Imagine if we could get all these men and women in the same boardroom to plan our future, South Africa's future, and the way forward to solve all the many challenges we face. Awesome!
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They had lots of soup and coffee to try and keep warm from inside. Many media were present and many interviews were taking place.
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Many of the homeless kids on the streets have a potential out, a gateway to a better life. That gateway is the Girls and Boys Town Foundation. You only have to listen to some of the amazing success stories, listen to these kids who have pulled themselves out of a life destined for certain failure, listen to their passion and dreams. Listen to where they have come from, the streets, someone believed in them because they did not believe in themselves, but the special teams from Girls and Boys Town did and here we sit today, with a bunch of well educated survivors and champions who are ready to take on the world and reach their full potential and can contribute in a meaningfully way to our beautiful and diverse country, our home we call South Africa.
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For many this was their first sleep out against the elements. For most of the CEO's fundraising usually takes part through the usual auctions, donations, or the usual golf days. So this was an exciting change, one in which the CEO's could be directly involved in. It was really fun listening to the build up over the air, in social media and print on how staff challenges were promising donations when their CEO's would bravely take of. X amount, for example: if you take your socks off for 1 hourwe pledge X etc. The competitiveness of the CEO's was bound to play a role here, Without doubt we are talking about A type personalities something I can identify with, of course. The money raised was insane, each trying to out donate each other, the competitiveness added some fun to the event but of course the real winners in the end were the kids from Girls and Boys Town.
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More than 200 CEOs took part in the winter gathering and seeing all these normally eloquently attired men and women huddled uncomfortable together and for many not in some the most flattering of outfits, in such a public arena was inspiring, How often would we make such a bold and public stand while looking somewhat ridiculous for a good cause. Kudos to them all!
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Congratulations to all the organisers, to 702 Talk Radio, Sun International and each and every cog in the wheel that made this magic happen. Thank you to all the CEO's who stepped out their comfort zone for a night, the comradeship around the fires, the excitement, the chattering teeth and long discussions and many incredible stories all added to a very successful CEO sleep out and I look forward to the next one. The organizers certaining have their work cut out for them to top this one!
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So who and what is Girls and Boys Town Foundation?
They have been around for over 55 years with a very successful history and various structures which are aimed at helping youth throughout South Africa. The Girls and Boys Town Foundation's mission is simple: Youth, Family and Community, SA's future.
The story of the then Boys town begin in 1958 in Magaliesburg. In 2004 it became known as Girls and Boys Town Foundation, when they were registered to accept girls into the facility This home initially provided a home for just 9 boys from a local children's home who had been destined for a so-called "Trade School". These boy were then joined by 17 other boys from various organisations across South Africa. The organzisation then continued to expeand over the next 55 years
Please go onto the link to read more about who Girls and Boys Town are and what they offer.
http://www.girlsandboystown.org.za/
It was so heartwarming to hear the interest for this event spill over to our local schools here in Johannesburg. Children themselves arranged for a sleep over in the halls and hallways on thier shcool grounds to raise funds, dispalying Ubuntu is its richest and purest form. Well done to all the school who particiapted. Salute.
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Kim Williams |Adventurer|Change Architect|Founder The Team Zodwa Project &Adventure with a purpose|Finalist Johnny Walker/Sunday Times Nation’s Greatest Hero Award|#Reachoutbeahero & #Adventurewithapurpose Agent|#Trek4Hunger Ambassador|Global Give Back Circle Mentor|Ambassador Meals on Wheels SA|Brand Ambassador Eatfresh|Public Speaker|Facilitator|Outstanding Founders list @MagnificHQ|Outstanding People List @GirlsRunThings|Blogger|Fizzical National Everyday Hero Winner|Blogger| Aspiring Author|ALS Paramedic
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