Community lends a hand on own terms

Community lends a hand on own terms

As the state grieves its huge bushfire losses the GLBTI community is doing its bit to help bushfire victims -” however, concerns have been raised over donating to certain humanitarian organisations.
JOY 94.9FM and the ALSO Foundation have been collecting toiletry donations to send to those affected by the disaster.
JOY station manager Stephen Hahn said the community has been anxious to assist. The station has asked that money donations be sent to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.
Hanh said the appeal chosen was a neutral one after he was approached by people in the community who did not want to donate to the Red Cross because of their ban on gay blood donors.
-œIt’s for slightly political reasons and the main one is the Red Cross’ ban on blood donation. When they’re calling for blood and people can’t give there’s been some hesitation, he said.
-œI think for some people the religious elements can pose a problem too.
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation still donates to religious organisations and the Red Cross, however, it also gives to other charities, such as the Country Women’s Association, the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund and the Whittlesea Activity Centre.
Community member Stephen Kress said he had deliberately avoided donating to the Red Cross because of its approach to gay blood donation.
Like many small communities shocked by the fires, the Hepburn Springs region is lending a helping hand by holding a bushfire appeal night at The Palais in Hepburn Springs this Sunday.
The Palais will donate all profits from the bar to the appeal.
The night came about because people in the community felt so helpless, said organiser Nel Staite.
The event will feature bands and DJs and 100 percent of all ticket sales will go to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund.
Sircuit Bar also gave proceeds from the door of its The Bearcave -“ A Bear Day Out event over the weekend to the bushfire appeal, while the Xchange Hotel donated all bar and door proceeds on Wednesday last week to the appeal.

info: To make a donation go to: www.joy.org.au or www.lordmayorsfund.org.au. The ALSO Foundation and JOY are receiving toiletry donations, see their website for details, or drop into offices at : Level 9 (JOY) or Level 8 (ALSO), 225 Bourke St, Melbourne. The Palais Bushfire Appeal is Sunday February 22, 111 Main Rd Hepburn Springs. Ph (03) 5348 4849

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