Help for Australia

Note: This post was updated with new links on Wednesday, January 15th. There are so many ways that you can help out! Continue reading below.

Hello Everyone,

I'm sure most of you have seen and heard about the Australia wildfires. Close to 18 million acres have burned across six states, with New South Wales (NSW) being the worst-affected area. Thousands of people have been displaced, homes burned, and lives lost. As of Jan. 8th, an estimated 800 million animals have died in NSW. Nationwide, the total number of animals affected could be as high as one billion.

Needless to say, the news is devastating. Many countries have been sending firefighters and contributing funds, supplies, food, etc. Many celebrities have pledged millions of dollars to help. What can we do? Maybe skip that morning coffee at Starbucks or bring a bagged lunch to work, and donate the money you would have spent to help Australia. Every little bit makes a difference.

To make it easy, I am sharing the following GoFundMe campaign organized by Ellen DeGeneres. Just click the green button to donate now.

As you will read on the campaign page, Ellen is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of GoFundMe.org to help the firefighters, people, and animals of Australia. The Ellen team is working with GoFundMe.org (a 501c3 non-profit) to manage donations. Funds raised will go to support Australian organizations focused on wildfire relief, namely the Australian Red Cross, as well as WIRES, Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization.

More Ways to Help Australia

(added Wed. Jan. 15th, 2020)

Donate to the Australian Red Cross -- they have volunteers at evacuation and recovery centers.

Give to the Salvation Army Australia -- they launched a disaster appeal and are providing shelter and meals to evacuees and front-line responders.

Donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Society Australia -- they're raising money to help evacuated families cover bills and rebuild.

Donate to the Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donation Fund -- this Facebook based fundraiser was set up by Australian comedian, Celeste Barber, and jointly supports the New South Wales fire brigade + the Victoria Country Fire Authority and South Australia's Country Service.

Donate to Save the Children -- donations support their child-friendly evacuation centers in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales and in Bairnsdale, Victoria. They're providing support and relief to children and families as they focus on recovery and rebuilding.

Save wildlife!!

Give to WIRES -- this Australian wildlife rescue nonprofit is helping and caring for the innocent victims of the fires and drought.

Donate to the World Wildlife Fund - money raised goes towards supporting injured animals impacted by the fires, particularly the koalas.

Give to these verified GoFundMe accounts set up for Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital.

Give to the Animals Australia Federation -- they're providing resources to help surviving wildlife in some of the hardest-hit areas, and these resources include expert veterinarian care and food.

Donate to the RSPCA New South Wales -- their heroic inspectors and staff are working to evacuate, rescue and treat pets, livestock and wildlife in northern NSW and beyond.

Crafters Unite!

Donate to the Animal Rescue Collective -- volunteers are sewing pouches for Australia's orphaned or injured kangaroos, koalas and bats, and are asking for donations for supplies to make pouches, as well as support for care of animals rescued in the fires. If you prefer to donate via GoFundMe, go to the ARC fundraising page.

Additionally, if you can knit, crochet or sew, use your special skills & talents to assist with wildlife relief in Australia. Specific instructions, patterns, and material requirements provided by ARC can be found here: Calling All Crafters!

Let's do what we can to show our support. #helpforaustralia

Eddy 💗