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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Sunday, January 26 is Australia Day; the official national day of the country down-under. This year marks the 232nd anniversary of the first fleet of British to colonize the continent.
This week there are a few different ways for Boston locals to support the ongoing wildfire relief efforts in Australia, including eating amazing food and getting some new ink.
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Barbie For Bushfire Support
The Aussie restaurant in East Boston KO Catering & Pies has already sold out of tickets to their Boston Barbie For Bushfire Support event. The invite says they're hosting "an event to show our support and love from Boston."
"In the true sense of our Aussie community spirit, we are banding together with at least 20 of our very generous and talented chef mates here... bringing everyone together with food and community to help all those suffering the truly crushing effects of these fires," according to organizer Samuel Jackson, owner of KO Catering & Pies.
For those who couldn't score a ticket, there is also an online fundraising page where you can donate. As of Sunday, $6,000 had been donated to Jackson's page.
The buffet-style event will be held on Tuesday, January 28 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Cap Restaurant & Supper Club in South Boston. Jackson said the event will include "amazing food and great company... a raffle and silent auction to add to the funds that we raise on the night." All proceeds will go to the Australian Red Cross, New South Wales Rural Fire Services, and WIRES.
The event will feature some of Boston's biggest culinary names, including some award winning chefs from Select Oyster Bar, BISq, Toro, Uni, and Sarma.
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Cuppa Coffee For A Cause
Bluestone Lane coffee shops are hosting fundraising events at several of their nationwide locations on Sunday January 26, including the store in Harvard Square.
The company said it will be holding Australian Bushfire Appeal Events with all proceeds from tickets sales and fundraising initiatives like auctions and raffles being donated.
Founder and CEO of Bluestone Lane, Nick Stone, is a native of Victoria, Australian. He put out a statement about the bushfires, saying:
"It's just heartbreaking seeing my homeland in so much pain. All of our teammates feel compelled to help support families and animals impacted by this catastrophic disaster. Our entire company has been mobilized to raise funds and awareness in support of the Australian bushfire appeal, giving back to our first home."
Bluestone Lane shops are also accepting donations that can be added to any order in store of via their mobile app.
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Get Inked For Aussies
For one day only, a popular tattoo parlor in Boston's North End is pitching in to help the Australian wildfire relief efforts
In a rare move, Boston Barber and Tattoo Company on Salem Street has opened its doors on a Sunday to a select number of clients.
Artist Gavin Doherty told WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas that on Sunday, January 26 they're hoping to raise at least $8,000 by doing "flash tattoos," which includes anything that can be drawn quickly. "Flash tattoos range from different things like koalas, plants, waves, things that are typically Australian-related," Doherty said.
Doherty said 100 percent of today's proceeds are being donated to Australian Wildfire Relief.
The tattoo shop booked nearly 40 people in 48 hours.
Hear the full story from WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) here:
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