Portlanders Join Australia Wildlife Relief Efforts
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.