I am impressed. Deeply impressed. Impressed at how a community rallies together in times of hardship. I have seen this first hand through a family tragedy, and again now, with the Victorian Bushfires. Granted, they are the worst disaster that Australia has ever seen, but in today's society, people seem to be very good at looking the other way, or giving sympathy but not opening their wallets or hearts.
The interesting thing is, that I can only speak from the experience I seem to be having from the other side of the world, as I am currently in Chicago. We are getting no coverage of the disaster here - or only fleeting glimpses on the TV when the fires were in their first days, but since then, my knowledge of what's going on has all been through the internet.
I have had over 50 facebook requests to join bushfire relief/fundraising support groups. I have been asked to promote dozens and dozens of Adelaide based events which are also raising funds. I have been sent info from the Red Cross, Salvation Army, RSPCA, and all sorts of groups who are helping out with victims, their families and animals affected by the disaster. So, I have created a section on the GLAM Adelaide website (http://www.glamadelaide.com/front_page_features/vic_bushfire_appeal.html) sharing this information with my community - and it's been getting a huge number of hits. People actually care.
One girl who I used to work with at SKYCITY Adelaide Casino wrote to me and said she had donated her entire paycheck to the relief efforts.
Another guy I know is bringing Krisy Kreme donughts to Adelaide (yes, can you believe we STILL don't have them there!) and selling them for $15 a box to raise money. On his first day he sold nearly 100 boxes. Just unbelieveable what one person can do.
Anyway, I seem to be ranting, but I am excited that there is still humanity left in the world, even if it does take a major disaster to bring out the best in people.
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Kelly Noble
Owner & Founder, GLAM Adelaide
http://www.glamadelaide.com
