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The network’s CEO will be sleeping rough on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year to support Australians experiencing this reality every night.
LJ Hooker has announced that its CEO, Christine Mikhael, has been selected as an ambassador for the 2024 St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) CEO Sleepout to be held on 20 June, this year marking her third consecutive year participating in the event.
With the event now in its 18th year, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout involves hundreds of CEOs, business owners, community and government leaders sleeping outdoors to raise funds and awareness for the more than 122,000 Australians experiencing these circumstances every day – a figure that has reportedly risen by 27 per cent in the last 10 years.
The network detailed that Mikhael would join the other business leaders in sleeping rough for a night to support those suffering from homelessness, a cause described as close to Mikhael’s heart.
“The need for shelter and a place to call home is at the core of the LJ Hooker Group. Every day, we help people buy or rent a home. While this is a joyous occasion for so many, I never lose sight that this is not the story for all Australians, and homelessness is real and severe.”
As part of the event, each CEO Sleepout participant will commit to raising a minimum amount of funds that will enable Vinnies to provide essential services to those in need – Mikhael reported to have presently raised $25,532 in support of the cause.
“I am honoured to once again participate in the CEO Sleepout as an ambassador to support the incredible work of Vinnies and the tens of thousands of volunteers who donate their time and efforts to help others,” Mikhael stated.
Notably, Mikhael was described by the network as having a longstanding personal connection to St Vincent de Paul, having helped create a Vinnies School Conference at St Leo’s College and Vinnies youth group in Hornsby during her youth, alongside actively helping to provide homeless individuals with food, clothing and a place to sleep at a local shelter.
“I am deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Together, we can create a lasting impact and help bring about positive change in our community,” Mikhael said.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO, Yolanda Saiz, explained the importance of the sleepout ambassadors, calling them “change-makers in key industry sectors who work to recruit peers and raise the profile of the event”.
“Christine exemplifies these attributes through her participation in the event since 2022. Outside of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Christine has a longstanding connection to Vinnies and we are delighted to know that she has joined this group and will continue to elevate this important cause,” Saiz said.
