The devastation of the wildfires that have been affecting Australia the past few weeks has left the nation with destroyed homes, businesses and fatalities—these are the worst fires Australia has seen in decades.
Even though Philadelphia is on the other side of the world, there is still a lot that residents can do to help make an impact. It’s time to truly live up to our name as the City of Brotherly Love. Here are a few opportunities and fundraisers across Philly to help our mates in Australia.
Khyber Pass Pub
Khyber Pass Pub has partnered with Australian native and local Philly publicist, Kylie Flett, to present the Bushfire Benefit—a Fundraiser For Our Mates Down Under. The benefit will take place Saturday, January 25 from 12 pm-4 pm. Guests who head to Khyber this weekend can enjoy Aussie themed booze, fare, live music, and much more all while raising desperately needed funds for victims and wildlife affected by the recent and ongoing bushfires in Australia. By just paying $20 at the door, Philadelphians will be immensely helping a dire cause while also simultaneously having a good time. The $20 donation will also get guests a free complimentary welcome beer or wine, and other treats and libations to indulge in, including house-made Sausage Rolls ($6), and beer and wine from Adelaide, South Australia, such as Coopers Pale Ale and Coopers Sparkling Ale ($6) and Freddy Nerks Bianco and Rosso wines ($10). Twenty Pies, the popular Australian brand of traditional beef pies, will also be available for purchase at the event for a suggested donation of $6 — 100% of proceeds will be going towards the fundraising efforts.
“The magnitude of devastation and loss my homeland is experiencing is almost impossible to fathom,” said Kylie Flett, PUNCH Media Director of PR + Strategy ADL in the release. “Wineries I visited, National Parks I hiked, and koalas I spotted in trees just three short weeks ago no longer exist. It’s heartbreaking.”
Upstairs at Khyber will be bandmembers Christopher Norris, Randy Goodman and Daniel Miller who are reuniting to perform classic Aussie tunes. There will also be a raffle with plenty of opportunities to win prizes from notable Philadelphia businesses including prizes from Allagash Brewing Company, Philly Loves Beer, W.P.Palmer Distilling, and Shangy’s the Beer Authority, tickets from The Arden Theatre Company, a 10-class pass to Northeast Cycle, Healing Mists by Makenzie Flynn, a Four’N Twenty Swag Pack and more.
According to the release, the Bushfire Benefit will be held in the newly-reopened, second-floor bar and performance space — Upstairs at Khyber — and guests in the main restaurant and bar downstairs will also be able to show their support with proceeds of the Aussie themed booze and food (both upstairs and down) being donated towards the Adelaide Koala Rescue and The Kangaroo Island Mayoral Fund. 100 percent of the donation at the door and raffle will provide much-needed financial assistance for these entities during the Australian bushfire crisis.
56 S 2nd St., khyberpasspub.com
Jet Wine Bar
South Street Jet Wine Bar is doing its part to help the devastation across the globe in Australia. Starting this week, on January 23, Jet will be offering a menu featuring ten different Australian wines as well as wine flights and an Aussie 75 ($12), a spin on the classic French 75 made with Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin — a unique gin distilled with Shiraz grapes in southeast Australia, which is currently being affected by the fires. $5 will be donated for every glass of Aussie wine, flight or cocktail sold to the Nature Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund.
The NFWRF is focusing on re-establishing habitat for bushfire affected landscapes. According to the release, while many community groups have mobilized to provide an immediate response to caring for injured wildlife, the Wildlife Recovery Fund will be used to re-establish habitat, particularly for threatened and vulnerable species which will give both threatened animal and plant life the best chance of recovery.
“This is a country that is experiencing extreme trauma from fires that have taken human life and property, as well as a major toll on wildlife. If we can help by doing something we love – drinking wine and offering excellent Australian wines – then that feels like the right thing to do! It’s a great way for us Philadelphian’s to help a grieving country in need,” said Jet Wine Bar owner, Jill Weber in the release.
In addition to the wine and cocktails at Jet, Philadelphians can also indulge in classic Aussie food pairings including meat pies, veggie samosas and vanilla slice courtesy of Sojourn Culinary Director, Lucio Palazzo, plus themed movies and music throughout the week.
1525 South St., jetwinebar.com
