Fort Knox Self Storage in Melbourne, Australia, recently supported a city-wide fundraiser to benefit homeless youths. In addition to donating 1,200 cardboard boxes for the May 26 “Sleep at the G” homeless simulation, 12 of the facility’s staff members participated in the event, raising $10,800.
The Fort Knox employees were among more than 1,000 people who spent the night at Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG), referred to by locals as “the G.” The event is designed for participants to experience the hardships faced nightly by the city’s 6,000 homeless youth. Sleepers were provided with a cardboard box for sleeping as well as soup and bread rolls for dinner and a light breakfast with beverages. The night also included live music and a movie zone showcasing films about homelessness.
Though each contributor received a personal Web page through which to secure donations, there was no minimum fundraising requirement to participate. The sponsors provided incentives and rewards to those who achieved certain goals.
To achieve its goal, the Fort Knox team hosted morning tea and a soup kitchen as well as selling homemade baked goods. During the sleepover, it built cardboard forts covered in supportive drawings and messages. “Events such as this have an enormous effect on the team. It strengthens their bond and camaraderie and builds the team morale,” according to a Fort Knox blog post.
Now in its fourth year, “Sleep at the G” is hosted by Melbourne City Mission, a nonprofit that provides funds, programs and support to the city’s children and adults. Additional event sponsors for 2016 included MCG and VicSuper, which provides member-retirement programs. As of May 30, the fundraiser had earned nearly $500,000 toward its $600,000 goal, according to the blog post.
Family-owned Fort Knox Self Storage opened its first facility in 1996. It now operates eight storage properties in Melbourne.
Sources:
- Fort Knox Self Storage: Sleep at the G 2016
- Melbourne City Mission: Sleep at the G
