Posted on 02/14/2009 8:20:15 PM PST by naturalman1975
AUSTRALIAN and Americans have come together in Los Angeles and New York to raise more than $76,587 for victims of the Victoria fires. Organisers in both cities were astounded by the turnout.
The Los Angeles event was held at Sunset Boulevard bar The Blue Goose Lounge while several thousand New Yorkers packed Manhattan bar and restaurant, The Australian, throughout the day.
"It was shoulder to shoulder throughout the entire day and night," Australian Consul General in New York, John Olsen said.
"On a holiday weekend in New York to have that sort of response and turnout was tremendous."
Olsen estimated more than $76,587 alone was raised at the New York function for the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal, where a $30.63 entry fee was charged, $3.06 from every drink was donated to the appeal and raffles for VB, Tooheys and Boags beer and Tim Tams were held.
Australian gridiron star Ben Graham attended and signed a pair of his NFL boots as part of a sports memorabilia auction.
Olsen was also honoured by the turnout of US officials, including senior members of the New York fire and police departments as well as the national president of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
I feel you’re our closest cousin! I’ve been to Oz twice, and it’s amazing the parallels you can draw between American and Australian culture. In fact, from spending a cumulative month in that awesome country, I’ve been having arguments with my Scottish-Australian ex-girlfriend that Australians are closer to Americans than Brits.
the sad thing is if it were a fundraiser for hamas there’d be another digit or two in the number....
BTTT
Many Prayers to all of you and yours.
How much have Muslim charities donated?
I have been trying to donate at the Australian Red Cross website, but it’s overloaded by the high traffic, lol.
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