Following last week’s announcement by the Victorian government declaring a State of Disaster for six Local Government Areas and the Alpine Resorts, Empower Healthcare is showing its support by running an internal organisation bushfire disaster appeal to raise much needed funds for the Red Cross.
CEO, Adam Gilroy-Smith has pledged to match every employee donation. “As a community organisation, we want to help support the thousands of people who are struggling in evacuation centres and recovery hubs around the country and proud to support the Red Cross.”
Dealing with the immediate aftermath of the fires while many fires continue to burn across the state is a significant challenge that the government cannot manage alone. There are so many ways that Victorians who are in a fortunate position can help :
- Fire/police/medical/volunteers – first responders
- Communities that have lost homes Communities that have lost lives
- Communities where businesses have been destroyed
- Communities that have been evacuated
- Communities that have injured animals, wiped out flora and fauna
Where Can You Donate?
See below for an outline of just a few of the available organisation’s that are supporting the bushfire disaster:
Supporting Victorian Fires
A Bushfire Disaster Appeal has been established in support community members affected by the recent bushfires in East Gippsland and Hume.
Donations to the Bushfire Disaster Appeal can be made at any Bendigo Bank branch or online via
Bushfire Disaster Appeal Donations
Donations to the Australian Red Cross and state-based brigades like the VIC or NSW Rural Fire Service will go towards bushfire relief.
Red Cross Donations
CFA Donations
Foodbank Victoria is providing much needed food and water to communities affected by the fires.
Foodbank Donations
Giving Items
Charities like Givit specialise in goods, but act as a “charity broker” to avoid the trap of unwanted, random items.
The exact items people need are listed via charities and the public can match that or register the items they have, in case someone can use them.
Right now, Givit is running two specific campaigns supporting NSW and Queensland bushfire victims on top of its regular services.
Givit Donations
Supporting Fallen firefighter families
The NSW RFS has created dedicated bank accounts to collect donations for the families of volunteer firefighters who have been tragically killed while on duty this fire season.
RFS Donations
GoFundMePageFalledfirefighters
Fire Affected Families
We can assist homeowners whose properties have been destroyed by the fires with kits to clear the property and find valuable items in the rubble.
Samaritans Purse Donations
Evacuees
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is accepting donations on behalf of evacuees. $50 will provide food for an evacuated family. $150 will assist with bills and unanticipated expenses associated with the fire.
St. Vincent de Paul Society Donations
The Salvation Army Emergency Services is currently providing meals to evacuees and frontline responders.
Salvation Army Donations
Supporting Animal Rescue
Cash donations and a need for physical items for animals is important too.
Wildlife Victoria have a donations page.
Donations to our Victorian bushfire appeal will be distributed to wildlife shelters and carers to help rebuild enclosures and equipment that they have lost in the fires so that they can continue their lifesaving work, and support those that are struggling to cope with the enormous number of animals that will need care in the coming weeks and months.
WildLife Victoria Donations
RSPCA is currently seeking monetary contributions….
“Whilst we really appreciate the offer, at the moment we are unable to accept donated goods as the time our volunteers and staff would spend sorting through goods is more valuable helping our impacted communities in other ways. If, and when, we are deployed to bushfire affected areas in the next few days we may launch a special appeal, but in the meantime if you would like to support our work the best way to do that is by making a donation here:
RSPCA VIC Donations
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