Going back to school is usually one of two things: either it's pretty exciting (even more so for the parents), or quite daunting for our precious little ones. We want to help make going back to school as exciting and easy as possible, which is why we've created 'Kits 4 Kids'. 

Kits 4 Kids are back to school packs filled with all the essentials, to help make the transition of going back to school that little bit smoother for disadvantaged kids. We believe every child should have access to adequate educational materials, and should be given the best chance possible to have a fun, and positive schooling experience. Each kit contains a backpack, insulated water bottle, pencil case filled with stationery such as rulers/erasers/pencils, and a lunchbox. 

While we can't quite kit out every kid (as much as we would LOVE to), we are pledging to create a minimum of 100 back to school packs, to help 100 kids. Some of these kiddies may have been affected by the bush fires, but there are certainly also children in need all year round, that will benefit from a helping hand. 

So how can YOU help us, to help them?

Well, we have a simple and stylish solution for you. Introducing... the Rainbow Bright Striped Drop Earrings! $5 from each pair of these gorgeous earrings will go towards creating these Kits 4 Kids. Each kit will cost approx. $20, so the more earrings purchased = the more kits that can be created! We will cover any costs where funds have not been raised to ensure we can reach our target of 100 kits.

Each pair of earrings is lovingly made using hand-poured resin, and are finished with nickel free posts for sensitive ears. There are 3 stud top colours available, and 2 styles to choose from. Which pair will you choose? View the full collection and start shopping for a great cause HERE.

Our gorgeous country is burning, and we are absolutely heartbroken by the devastation being caused. Australia is unlike any other country in the world. The destruction caused, tragic loss of life, homes, flora and fauna is simply unfathomable. All of our love and thoughts are with those affected by the fires. A huge big THANK YOU to the firies (including the countless volunteers) putting their lives on the line to help fight these bush fires and protect lives, homes, and towns.
 
We've been watching the events unfold, and have felt totally helpless. However, together, we can all help to make a huge difference to the lives of those affected by the fires. 

*Image Credit Kasey Rainbow via donation fundraiser

All of the RO girls have individually donated and are helping wherever, and however they can. We are all equally devastated. If you'd like to help too, donating directly to reputable organisations is the best way to do so to help provide forms of quick and immediate relief. I'll pop some links below so that you can make informed decisions about where you'd like to help out. Donations over $2 are all tax deductible, and each donation makes such an enormous difference. Each and every cent counts.

FOR DONATIONS TO VICTIMS OF THE FIRES:
Red Cross >>> https://www.redcross.org.au/…/disaster-relief-and-recovery-…
Salvation Army >>> https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/
Food Bank >>> https://www.foodbank.org.au/…/make-a-donation/donate-funds/…
Givit >>> http://givit.org.au/disasters

FOR DONATIONS DIRECTLY TO FIRE BRIGADES:
NSW Rural Fire Service: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volun…/support-your-local-brigade
Country Fire Authority Victoria: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa
South Australian Country Fire Service: https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate
Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland: https://rfbaq.org/donate-to-a-specific-brigade

FOR DONATIONS TO ASSIST WILDLIFE:
WIRES >>> https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund
WWF >>> https://www.wwf.org.au/get-involved/bushfire-emergency 

The next best way to help >>> once the fires have been put out (predicted to be in March or April 😢) and it is safe to do so, if you have the capacity, why not plan a road trip and visit a town near you that has been affected. Purchase their fuel, visit and purchase from their gift shops and supermarkets, and help the locals rebuild their towns to their new sense of normal in any way you can. We certainly will be.

Once the fires are extinguished, there is still lots of work to be done to help communities slowly rebuild. You can start helping now, by taking a look at Turia Pitt's "Spend With Them" initiative here. It is a page full of regional businesses doing it tough during the fires. If you need to purchase something specific, why not have a look over the page and purchase with them to support the people in need of financial assistance now. 

As not everyone has the capacity to help financially, we have researched and found a heap of practical ways to assist for those who would still love to help.

Click here to learn more about crafting wildlife pouches to the animals who have been burned and/or lost their habitats.

Click here to learn about fauna wildfood balls, which are used as a food source for displaced animals.

Click here to learn more about our drop off points, and how you can help by donating items for victims of the fires.

EDIT 11 Jan 2020:  Fauna Wildlife Balls are no longer needed.

We have written how we are feeling about the Australian Bushfire Crisis here. It is devastating, but there are a number of ways we can help! For some practical ways to help, see the Fauna Wildfood Balls recipe below, or check the links at the bottom of this post for other ways to help. 

The Ruby Olive HQ team will be running working bees to create "Fauna Wildfood Balls" as a form of sustenance for surviving wild animals, who have lost their food source. These balls will be placed out under logs, rocks, in tree hollows, any safe places where fauna can search them out to supplement feed, but not become prey to predators.

These fauna wildfood balls can be made in bulk, frozen, and sent out as requested and needed by Animal Rescue Groups. We will be running a drive in our Brisbane head office to make a bulk batch. If you would like to create your own batch of fauna wildfood balls, you can find the recipe below. Thanks so much to Karan White for all of the information, photos, and recipe which is via the Animal Rescue Collective! You can view Karan's original post here. 

FAUNA WILDFOOD BALLS RECIPE

Ingredients

• 1kg packet of Quick Oats
• 1 packet of Spirulina (70 – 100gm) – can be found in health aisle of Coles, Woolies and most supermarkets, or in health food or bulk supply stores
• 1/2 cup of maple syrup
• Water to bring it all together

Method

• Mix dry ingredients together
• Add remaining ingredients and water as required to bring it all together *don’t add too much water - it make the balls too sticky*
• Form into small balls – each batch should yield around 130 balls
• Freeze or refrigerate

Please get in contact with us if you would like to volunteer to help make these wildfood balls with us, or if you need more info on where to send your finished product.  More details can also be found HERE.

As not everyone has the capacity to help in this way, we have researched and found a heap of financial and practical ways to assist for those who would still love to help. 

Click here to learn more about crafting wildlife pouches to the animals who have been burned and/or lost their habitats.

Click here to learn about how to assist financially. 

Click here to learn more about our drop off points, and how you can help by donating items for victims of the fires.

 

EDIT 11 Jan 2020:  Fauna Wildlife Balls are no longer needed.

The Ruby Olive HQ team will be running working bees to craft animal pouches that are desperately needed by rescue shelters and hospitals. Our first crafting bee date is Saturday the 18th of January in Brisbane. Please RSVP HERE if you would like to come along! We will also be making "Fauna Wildlife Balls" as a form of sustenance for wild animals (find out more HERE). You can also read what we've written about the fires and devastation caused + find out where and how to donate financially HERE, and donate items HERE. 

The wildlife pouches from our craft working bees will be donated directly to the The Rescue Collective and Animal Rescue Collective (ARC) and Animal Rescue Craft Guild. These organisations are all one team, alongside many rescue groups helping the fire zones across 5 states, backed by a registered charity (MKC). 100% volunteer run. They coordinate the making and supply of craft items that can be used by animal rescues.

We will be sending off completed pouches directly to these organisations, and for anyone who cannot help in person with us, but sends their completed pouches to RO HQ, we will refund all postage costs in the form of Ruby Olive Dollars (i.e. a gift card or store credit in the amount of postage).