stop being selfish and donate your over-valued money to people and animals in victoria...NOW

Maybe you know already, but Victoria (one of Australia's states--and not the one me and Vincent live in) is suffering from massive, MASSIVE bush fires. The death toll is estimated at almost 300 so far, and the fires are still ablazin'. It is considered the worst natural disaster to ever hit Australia. So if you can spare a few dollars/ euros/ pounds/ etc, please donate here--just think how much a little bit will go with the current exchange rate!

This is all pretty sad stuff, but some stories making their way to the surface that have at least a little bit of cheer in them. Here's one about Sam, a Koala, who is helped by David Tree, a firefighter.

He said he was in the middle of backburning at Mirboo North when he saw the stricken koala. "I could see she had sore feet and was in trouble, so I pulled over the fire truck. She just plonked herself down, as if to say 'I'm beat'," he said.

"I offered her a drink and she drank three bottles.

"The most amazing part was when she grabbed my hand. I will never forget that."

Mr Tree and his brigade then received an emergency call-out to save a house, but minutes later Sam was picked up by wildlife carers.

She is one of 22 koalas, 14 ringtail possums, several wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos that have been handed into Gippsland carers.

Although Sam now is okay (and really, REALLY famous)--YAY!, thousands of other animals did not escape the huge fires or are suffering many injuries--BOO :( Wildlife Victoria is now taking donations to help care for the injured animals...if you feel so inclined that is.

I know I don't usually plea on the behalf of other humans or awesomely cute koalas and possums, but these fires are apparently REALLY bad. And to be honest, I think I'd be scared out of my mind if I was trying to escape something so big and hot. Not to mention the fact that they think some of the fires were caused by arson and/ or a cigarette thrown out a window-- sigh-- I just think we all can spare a few dollars to help those who now have to live with the mistakes of others.