Giving to Australia
In response to the widespread, catastrophic bushfires in Australia, we are donating 20% of proceeds from our SALE2020 promotion to the NSW Rural Fire Service this weekend. Please read on for full details regarding our donation pledge, current sale, and to learn more about the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Donation Details
About NSW Rural Fire Service
The NSW Rural Fire Service is the world's largest volunteer fire service. Their members provide fire and emergency services to approximately 95 percent of NSW, Australia voluntarily. According to the New York Times, firefighters and community workers in rural fire brigades are in the thick of it right now in Australia. Donations to rural fire services are directed to a range of efforts including bush and grass fires, house and structure fires, search and rescue, and more.
To learn more about NSW Rural Fire Service, visit their website here and read their mission statement below:
NSW Rural Fire Service Mission Statement
To provide a world standard of excellence in the provision of a community-based fire and emergency service. To protect the community and our environment we will minimise the impact of fire and other emergencies by providing the highest standards of training, community education, prevention and operational capability..
You can also give directly to the NSW Rural Fire Service here.
Left: Stephanie's firefighter gear. Right: The Roosevelt Fire raging in Stephanie's Wyoming community in 2018
One reason we chose to donate to the NSW Rural Fire Service is that Stephanie, our designer and founder, is a volunteer firefighter herself. In the fall of 2018, Stephanie’s own neighborhood and community in rural Wyoming witnessed the devastation of wildfires firsthand with the Roosevelt fire. This experience led Stephanie and her husband, Chris to join their own local fire department as volunteer firefighters. Last year, they trained for seven months, taking numerous tests and participating in a large variety of drills, working to earn their certification. In July 2019 Stephanie and Chris officially became firefighters!
Ways to Help
You don’t need to make a purchase from us to help with the wildfires in Australia. If you wish to give directly here are a few places to donate to.
Local Fire Brigades
Fire services local to Australia outside of NSW are listed below.
Animal Rescue Efforts
The bushfires are destroying Australia’s unique ecosystems and killing wildlife. Estimates of the number of animals killed by the fires range from hundreds of millions to more than 1 billion. Consider donating to one (or all!) of the following organizations focused on animal rescue.
Additional Relief Efforts
This Australian nonprofit connects people impacted by the fires to the items and services that they need.
As bushfires affect communities across Australia on an unprecedented scale, the Red Cross is providing practical, local support where it's needed to tens of thousands of people during and after the emergencies. When Stephanie’s community was affected by the Wyoming wildfires the American Red Cross was one of the most helpful resources. We love to support the Red Cross.
If you are unable to make a monetary donation remember that your voice is important! Research climate change rallies in your area and vote in every election.
Australia, we love and support you!