No matter where you live, you probably have heard of the Black Saturday fires in Victoria, of the destruction, the devastation, the lost 209 lives, may God rest their souls. I don’t know personally anyone who has suffered from those fires and yet start crying every time I think about this terrible nightmare.

I don’t feel like telling you about my wonderful life in Australia if there is something else, something more useful, that I can do to help those people who are now living in tents, eating in soup kitchens and have no idea when they will return home - that is, if they still have a home. I can’t believe it didn’t occur to me before to pass this message through my blog, but better late than never.

I want to punch in the face every one of the real estate vultures for trying to buy land for less than it’s worth in the disaster areas like Kinglake and Marysville, using other people’s misery to their advantage. Those pricks just make me sick, trying to build wealth on dead bodies.

I have put together a list of resources for people who want to help. Help doesn’t necessarily mean money - it can be blood, clothes, blankets or furniture, every little bit counts.

If you’d like to help the fire victims, here is what you can do:

1. Donate to the Salvation Army

Why? They provide support, counseling and financial assistance to the victims. They give people money to buy clothing and other personal necessities for themselves and their families. Their volunteers provide food and refreshments to our fire fighters. They help in hundreds of places in many ways and they need us. If you need another reason to donate, donations are tax deductible.

Donate money - call 137258 from Australia or visit http://www.salvos.org.au

Donate goods - blankets, furniture and clothing, at Salvation Army collection points or fill the online collection form.

2. Donate to the Australian Red Cross

Donate blood - call 13 14 95 to make an appointment.

Donate money to the Red Cross State Government Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, here is how:

- Call 1800 811 700 to donate on the phone

- Make a Direct Deposit to National Australia Bank: Name Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund - BSB 082-001, Account number 860-046-797

- Make a Direct Deposit to Westpac: Name Victorian Bushfire Relief Appeal - BSB 033688 - Account Number: 379004

3. Offer accommodation and wildlife assistance.
ABC Melbourne created a page with a number of ways how you can help the bushfire victims here.

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