Businessman Chris Christofi is well known within the community for his philanthropic initiatives. This time his goal is to break the all time donation record for this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout, aiming to raise $250,000 for the homeless in Australia.
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a one-night event over one of the longest and coldest nights of the year. The 2022 one will take place at the Port Melbourne Timber Yard on 23 June.
Chris has raised almost $300,000 for the CEO Vinnie’s Sleepout since 2018 and following this year’s sleepout- his fifth- he plans to build a house with all the money raised and auction it off, giving all proceeds to St Vincent de Paul.
The 42-year-old founder and CEO of property investment and finance group Reventon will be matching all donations – for every dollar raised, he will donate an additional $3 himself.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for another year. Homelessness can happen to anyone; it can be nothing more than an unfortunate set of circumstances,” Mr Christofi said.
“I experienced financial hardship in the early days of my career and I’m acutely aware that it could easily have been me if I didn’t have the support of my family. It’s so important we always show kindness and compassion to our fellow human beings in need.”
Last year, Christofi placed second out of 206 CEOs in Victoria and fourth out of 1,613 CEOs nationwide, placing him in the Top 0.25 per cent of all fundraisers. His efforts have seen him named an ambassador for the CEO Sleepout and appointed as the 2021 Face of the Vinnies Campaign.
“Through his involvement with Vinnies CEO Sleepout, Chris has demonstrated real ‘leadership with compassion’,” General Manager of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, Andrew McKenzie said.
“He has gone over and above to get a real understanding of the issues facing people in his city. I remember Chris coming out with the Vinnies volunteer teams on our nightly Soup Van runs. He wanted to roll his sleeves up and be the one meeting, talking to and, most importantly, listening to those he was assisting with sharing food.”
“Chris sets a real example amongst business leaders as to how to engage with the issues being confronted by people every day. The way he brings his professional expertise as a CEO to complex issues is both impressive – and practical. Vinnies are very proud to have Chris involved in our CEO Sleepout. His fundraising will make a real and tangible impact for people doing it tough across Victoria.”
