A call to winemakers to join me in support of East Africa famine crisis victims through a donation for every case of wine sold in end of year newsletters and cellar door Christmas offers.

The worst famine in decades

The UN estimates that 11.5 million people are in serious danger and tens of thousands have already died in the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in more than sixty years.

I received a letter this week on behalf of the Dadaab Refugee camp in Kenya, the largest refugee camp in the world, calling for urgent assistance.

Tragically, many children have not survived the 1000 kilometre trek from famine-devastated Somalia. Of those who make it, half suffer malnutrition and need urgent feeding. When children are this weak, life is counted in hours. The camp death rate is six times what it was previously.

The UN has named this “the most severe food security emergency in the world today.”

When families escape war and famine, children are often separated from their parents, or orphaned. It doesn’t cost a lot for us to provide food and support for these families.

How can I help?

2011 has been the toughest year for Australian wine in decades, but compared with East Africa, we are very fortunate.  I am inviting winemakers to join me in making a contribution to the East Africa famine crisis for every case of wine sold in end of year newsletters or cellar door Christmas offers.

A small donation for every case of wine can go a long way. For example:

– $1 buys 9 child meals of maize porridge
– $2 buys maize porridge to feed a child for one week
– $3 buys 2kg of maize four to make high energy porridge for 27 rations
– $5 buys 45 child-meals of maize porridge
– $10 supplies 30 children with 3 meals of maize porridge
– $15 buys 10kg maize flour to make high energy porridge for 135 rations
– $20 buys 181 child meals of maize porridge
– $22 supports a foster family for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-hand clothes

These examples are based on the work of Australian Lutheran World Service. Donations will be used where needed most urgently to respond to the Africa famine crisis. Any amounts raised beyond what is needed for this project will be used to support other relief and development projects in the region.

What do I need to do?

1. Determine a contribution per case that you are comfortable with advertising in your newsletter or cellar door offer. I can assist with any images or further information that you require.

2. Advise me of your plan so I can promote it in my writing about the Australian wine trade’s response.

3. After your promotion is complete (31 December 2011 or any date you determine), make your donation to the Australian Lutheran World Service Africa Famine Crisis Appeal.  This is a direct donation by cheque, money order, secure web payment or credit card. You may choose to donate to any other appeal, but I recommend the ALWS appeal as they contribute directly to the team  managing the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya.

4. Donations $2 and over are tax-deductible.

Read more

www.alws.org.au/urgent-action.html

Supporters

Vinteloper Wines – $25 from the sale of each case sold through the newsletter for the rest of 2011,
each of which will support foster families for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-
hand clothes, as well as 27 meals for children.

Grosset Wines – $22 from the sale of each of 500 cases of Grosset Gaia 2008, each of which will
support foster families for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-hand clothes.

Mount Horrocks Wines – $22 from the sale of each case of Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling, each
of which will support foster families for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-hand
clothes.

Juniper Estate and Higher Plane Wines – $10 per case sold from both Spring and Christmas
newsletters, to feed 90 children in Africa

Murray Street Vineyards – $5 from every case donated through Christmas promotion period, each
of which will feed 45 children in Africa.

Paxton Vineyards – $1 for every person who visits cellar door during November, each of which will
provide 9 child meals in Africa.

Mike Press Wines – A percentage of sales until the end of December will be donated to the appeal.

Direct Donations

Burge Family Wines

First Drop Wines

Gembrook Hill

Greenock Creek

Kalleske Wines

Noon Winery

WineFront

Wirra Wirra

Media Supporters

Ken Gargett and Spit Bucket

Katrina Holden and Sip Your Style

Anthony Madigan and TWTW and WBM

Gary Walsh, Campbell Mattinson and Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

Peter Bourne

Judy Sarris and Gourmet Traveller Wine

Peter Fuller and Fuller Integrated Marketing Communications

Jeff Gordon

Max Allen

Peter Muscet and Muscet Media

Grant Dodd

Please contact me if you have any queries.

Tyson Stelzer