Australian Rural Fire Truck in front of Bush fire

From Bunnings and JB Hi-Fi to Amazon and eBay.

Many Australian retailers are providing support to communities and individuals impacted by the bushfires via generous charity donations, customer fundraisers and paid emergency service leave for employees fighting the fires.

Appliance Retailer has reached out to some of the key retailers involved to understand their ongoing efforts.

Amazon Australia

Amazon Australia is contributing $1 million to national efforts to provide relief to communities impacted by the bushfires.

Amazon is donating water, food, safety clothing and building materials to volunteer-based organisation, BlazeAid with Amazon customers also able to donate these requested items through the charity’s wish list on the Amazon Australia website. Amazon is also providing cash donations to relief agencies including the Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army Australia, WIRES, and Rural and Country Fire Services around the country.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is providing in-kind technical support for government agencies dealing with response and recovery efforts including Geoscience and Digital Earth Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology, and state agencies such as Land Gate (WA), the Rural Fire Service (NSW), Fires Near Me app, SAFECOM (SA), and the South Australian Department Planning, Transport, and Infrastructure.

Bunnings

Bunnings has made local donations well in excess of $100,000 and the first team member-run BBQ in November raised over $600,000 for those affected by the bushfire crisis and drought. On January 24, Bunnings will hold another sausage sizzle at all stores across Australia and New Zealand with funds raised going to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Appeal. Further, Bunnings is taking customer donations in-store and online for the Red Cross and will match any contributions made by its team members.

Bunnings chief operating officer, Debbie Poole said, “Our stores have and always will be an integral part of each community in which they serve. Their local connections run deep with team living, working and raising families within these communities. In tragedies such as the one we are experiencing, Bunnings team members have stepped up, providing products, time and services to those in need, supporting emergency services and those who have lost homes, businesses and livelihoods.

“In addition, close to 100 Bunnings employees have taken paid time away from work to fight fires as members of the CFA, CFS, RFS, SES and defence force reserves and Bunnings continues to provide unlimited paid support to these team members and families. The Bunnings team deeply understands the role it plays in serving in serving communities as a trusted partner in good and bad times and looks forward to continuing this unwavering support in meaningful and practical ways.”

Catch Group

Catch has kickstarted its bushfire appeal with a $50,000 donation to the Australian Red Cross and is currently developing a feature that will enable its customers to donate via the Catch.com.au website that will become available in the coming weeks.

Catch.com.au CMO, Ryan Gracie said as an Australian born and bred company, it is heartbreaking to see the country suffering from such devastation. “We would like to salute the incredible bravery of the fire fighters, medics, volunteers and everyone helping the communities ravaged by the bushfires.”

eBay

Award-winning actress, writer and comedian, Phoebe Waller-Bridge will auction off her Golden Globes couture tuxedo on eBay with all proceeds going towards relief efforts for the Australian bushfires.

The listing is now live on ebay.com.au and the auction will end at 11:00 AEDT January 20, 2020. The starting bid is $77,000 including global shipping and insurance fees. All bidders will be vetted. The auction is open to all international bidders with an eBay account from Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe, the UK, New Zealand and the US.

Waller-Bridge will equally divide the winning bid between three chosen charities; the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief & Recovery Fund, WIRES Wildlife Rescue Emergency Fund and Wildlife Victoria.

eBay Australia managing director, Tim MacKinnon said, “We are deeply saddened by the distress and devastation that the bushfires have inflicted on communities in Australia. As a platform powered by Australians and built on the premise of people being inherently good, we are keen to do all we can to support the cause. “That’s why we are honoured to support Phoebe Waller-Bridge and the team at Ralph & Russo by hosting the auction of the couture tuxedo. Phoebe has selected eBay to host the sale in order to reach as many fans and supporters as possible.”

JB Hi-Fi

JB Hi-Fi will be donating $100,000 to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to support bushfire affected communities. In addition, a further $50,000 will be donated to support emergency wildlife response efforts.

Through JB Hi-Fi Helping Hands workplace giving program, JB Hi-Fi team members can make personal donations to Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund via a direct payroll deduction with JB Hi-Fi matching all team member donations dollar for dollar. JB Hi-Fi team members participating in volunteer firefighting efforts will be supported with up to 10 days of paid Emergency Service Leave.

All JB Hi-Fi stores across Australia will be accepting customer donations at the service registers on behalf of the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

Myer

Myer’s national POS Round-Up Campaign has raised more than $325,000 to support families and communities impacted by the bushfires. In addition, Myer has pledged $150,000 to The Salvation Army Disaster Appeal.

Myer Community Fund chairman and executive general manager of stores, Tony Sutton said, “We are so thankful to our customers for their generous support. We are seeing the devastation the fires are causing, whether that be on the news, or from family, friends or work colleagues who have been affected by them, and through these contributions we will be able to support the Salvos and the vital work they are doing.

“Furthermore, Myer will look for additional ways to support affected communities as they rebuild and recover following these bushfires. Our thoughts continue to be with everyone impacted, as well as with our heroic emergency services, who are saving lives and homes.”

Winning Group

The Winning Group has donated $30,000 in total towards charities assisting people and wildlife impacted and supporting volunteers who are helping to fight the fires. This includes $10,000 to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery, $10,000 to WIRES Wildlife Rescue and $10,000 to NSW RFS. The group has also supported requests for appliances from the emergency services located in impacted areas.