Explore the city
Relief efforts are underway in Portland to support Australian residents and wildlife (including more than a billion animals) impacted by bushfires.
i
Relief efforts are underway in Portland to support Australian residents and wildlife (including more than a billion animals) impacted by bushfires.
Credit: Photo by Ninian Reid, via Flickr.

Portlanders Join Australia Wildlife Relief Efforts

1 min read

As news spread in late 2019 of bushfires devastating Australian homes and wildlife, Portland business owners began launching initiatives to raise money for relief efforts: Hot Lips Pizza donated 25% of profits made on Jan. 26 to fire authorities in Victoria and New South Wales and WIRES (Wildlife Information Rescue Education Services); and both The Waypost and Bit House Saloon hosted benefit concerts, donating 100% of proceeds to Australia wildfire relief efforts. Proud Mary (an Australian coffee shop in Northeast Portland) has also planned multiple fundraisers, including a benefit dinner on Feb. 22 to fundraise for Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Dossier Hotel has jumped in to help, partnering with Fire Brew (a local health tonic business) to launch a cocktail program called “Sipping in Solidarity.” Through February, $1 of every specialty cocktail and a mocktail sold at Dossier’s bar, Rosa Rosa, will be donated to WIRES. The hotel is also donating 5% from each room night booked on their website to the organization.

If you’re interested in making your own impact, several nonprofit organizations Australian authorities recommend donating to are:

Before making a donation to Australian organizations providing wildlife relief, government officials recommend verifying the organization is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission.