It's not only ex-pat Aussie celebrities who are doing their bit to raise funds for bushfire affected communities.
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Wollongong chef Sam Jackson, who moved to Boston 12 years ago, is hoping to raise $100,000 to help through his "Boston Barbie for Bushfire Support" fundraising event.
The co-owner of KO Catering and Pies, an Australian-inspired restaurant in East Boston, told one Boston media outlet - "my country's on fire, things aren't good and I need to be able to put my energy into something positive rather than something negative."
The barbie will be held on January 28 at Capo Restaurant and Supper Club in South Boston. A raffle and silent auction are planned.
More than 20 local restaurateurs and chefs are participating.
"The community support in Boston is so remarkable," Jackson told the Boston Globe.
"I'm so thankful for people's generosity and the least I can do is offer an outlet to be generous."
Proceeds from the barbecue will benefit the Australian Red Cross, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the World Wildlife Fund, Australian Wildlife Rescue Organisation, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, and others.
Lauretta Jackson told the Mercury her son felt helpless at first watching the "devastation from afar".
"But once he came up with the idea to hold a barbie, his spirits' lifted," she said.
"He just wants to do as much as he can to help. We're very proud of him."
As of 9am on Friday there were 134 blazes continuing to burn across NSW, with 53 uncontained, and all at advice level.
Since last July, 20 people have died in the NSW bushfires, including three firefighters.
This is in addition to 6200 livestock and millions of wild animals.
Authorities confirmed that 1995 NSW homes have been destroyed since the start of the fire season, with more than 750 damaged.
More than 1000 have been confirmed destroyed in 2020 alone.
Almost 200 facilities and 3774 outbuildings have also been razed.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
