American Tobacco Vice President of Real Estate Michael Goodmon and WRAL-TV Vice President & General Manager Steve Hammel are getting ready to spend a night out in Durham.   They won’t be attending posh parties or spending an evening at the theatre.  The two CBC executives will be spending a night outside to help raise money and bring awareness to homelessness and poverty.

Goodmon says they will be sleeping will nothing but the clothes on their backs; in order to get provisions like a cardboard box, newspaper, a sleeping bag, etc, they must raise funds.

The CEO Sleepout will take place at American Tobacco on Thursday, September 6, 2012, starting at 6:30pm and ending at 8:00am the next morning.  The United Way of the Great Triangle put together the Sleepout to “make the biggest statement on poverty in the Triangle that has even been made.”

Goodmon & Hammel are happy to be a part of the effort.

ATC’s Michael Goodmon (left) & WRAL-TV’s Steve Hammel will spend the night outside in Durham for the United Way of the Greater Triangle’s CEO Sleepout.

“I am participating to help drive awareness of the issues of poverty and homelessness that run deep in our community,” said Goodmon.  “I have often wondered the despair that someone feels who has nowhere to go and no one to turn to… And while my one night in the elements is nothing In comparison, a handful of us can experience a very small sliver of these challenges and use this as an opportunity to build momentum and compassion for those in need.”

When asked why he is participating, Hammel said, “Why? We live in what we believe to be a terrific area.  The Triangle IS terrific; however, not everyone is as fortunate as we are.  This is a good reminder to all of us that just when you think you are having a tough day, there are thousands of others in our own backyard who are having what is truly a much more difficult time with their life–24 hours a day.  This is a way to highlight that and with generous donations to help.”

Help support Goodmon, Hammel & the United Way of the Greater Triangle:

• Make a donation for Michael Goodmon
• Make a donation for Steve Hammel
• Learn more about the CEO Sleepout