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Australia fires: How to help from Philadelphia

Want to help Australia fire recovery efforts? Here's how.

Evan Harris places gas bottles in a hole as he rushes around his property preparing to minimize fire impact at Burragate, Australia, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, as a nearby fire threatens the area. Thousands of people are fleeing their homes and helicopters are dropping supplies to towns at risk of wildfires as hot, windy conditions threaten already fire-ravaged southeastern Australian communities.
Evan Harris places gas bottles in a hole as he rushes around his property preparing to minimize fire impact at Burragate, Australia, Friday, Jan. 10, 2020, as a nearby fire threatens the area. Thousands of people are fleeing their homes and helicopters are dropping supplies to towns at risk of wildfires as hot, windy conditions threaten already fire-ravaged southeastern Australian communities.Read moreRick Rycroft / AP
    by Staff Reports
    Published 

Australian bushfires have been burning for months, killing at least 26 people, destroying thousands of homes, decimating wildlife, and shrouding major cities in smoke. The fires have become a focal point in the discussion on how countries are responding to climate change.

Want to help? Here’s how.

» READ MORE: Is it safe to visit Australia?

Local fundraisers

  1. The Philadelphia Hawks, an Australian rules football club, are having a fundraiser for the Australian Red Cross. The team usually hosts a party on Australia Day (the country’s official national day) to benefit the team; this year, they’ve decided to use the event to aid the recovery efforts. Beyond sport, many have a personal connection to the situation: “We are a mixed team of Australians and Americans — many of our team members have connections back home still, and many in the Australian Rules Football community have felt the impact of these fires,” the team said in a statement. In addition to the fundraiser, the team is donating $5 from each Hawks social membership sold this year. Noon-6 p.m. Sat. Jan. 25, Cavanaugh’s Headhouse Square (upstairs), 421 S. 2nd St., $20 suggested.

  2. Bushfire Benefit. With 100% of proceeds going to Adelaide Koala Rescue and Kangaroo Island Mayoral Fund, this party will feature Australian classics such as sausage rolls, meat pies, Coopers beer. Music from Chris Kristofferson Norris and Randy Goodman. There will also be a raffle. Noon to 4 p.m. Sat. Jan. 25, Khyber Pass, 56 S. 2nd St., $20 at the door.

  3. Wine Relief at Jet Wine Bar. From January 23 to 30, For every glass of Australian wine, flight or cocktail sold, the bar will donate $5 to the Nature Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund, which works to re-establish habitat for animals affected by the bushfire, especially threatened and vulnerable species. 1525 South St., www.jetwinebar.com.

  4. The International Bar is having a wildfire benefit on Mon. Jan. 27 from 8 p.m.-midnight. Lily Cope will DJ; the bar will have $10 gin and tonics (with Four Pillars gin and Fever Tree tonic) and $7.50 bottles of Coopers Pale Ale. 100% of proceeds are being donated. 1624 N. Front St. theintlbar.com

We will be adding to this as we become aware of new efforts. If you know of other local events/organizing in Philadelphia to help Australia, please email us.

Groups accepting monetary donations

A wide variety of groups are working to help both people and wildlife affected by the fires. Here are some places to start:

  1. Australian athlete James Newbury is organizing a GoFundMe called “Relief for SA & Vic bushfire victims,” working with the Balu Blue Foundation to help fund groups that are on the front line of this bushfire crisis. To help popularize the effort and encourage people to donate, Newbury started the #koalachallenge. Here’s Bryce Harper trying it out:

  1. Animal charities. Wildlife Victoria’s Victorian Bushfire Appeal is collecting money to help wildlife shelters rebuild enclosures they have lost in the fires, and help them care for affected animals. World Wildlife Fund: Adopt a Koala. This program aims to help the iconic creatures be rehabilitated and released, as well as support ongoing efforts to protect them from extinction. The International Fund for Animal Welfare is working with local groups to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife.

  2. Support communities. Australian Red Cross is offering emergency grants to people who lost their homes in the fires. The group is also supporting people at evacuation centers, providing counseling to reduce trauma and distress, and giving out food, water and relief items. More about the group’s work here. The Government of Victoria has a Victorian Bushfire Appeal to help support communities in need. “The appeal provides a formal channel for the public to donate money directly to affected families and communities, by working directly with local communities to inform and drive the distribution of funds,” the site says.

  3. Support firefighters. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service, (there’s an additional Facebook fundraiser for the Service by actor/comedian Celeste Barber here.) the South Australian Country Fire Service, The Vic Country Fire Authority, and the Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland are all accepting donations to help communities and help support those fighting the fires.