Jan
13
Patty Mills Leads Trail Blazers In Relief Efforts For Devastated Australia
By sarahhecht Posted in: PattyMills
One stop on any major news network will bring you images and stories on the floods ravaging Queensland, Australia. Floods so massive they’re covering two-thirds of Australia’s second-largest state, an area larger than Germany and France combined.
To Portland Trail Blazers point guard Patty Mills news of the floods is more than just a click of the remote to CNN. It’s
images and videos of his native Australia. Photos of his friends and family. Photos of home.
“I’ve had friends send me photos they’ve taken, I mean, you can’t even imagine until you really see what happened,” Mills said. “There was a instant where a little thirteen year old boy,
Jordan Rice, sacrificed his own life to save his younger brother, so just stuff like that, you read and you just want to do all you can to help.”
Being in the United States Mills is removed from the physical danger the surging waters present. But the distance hasn’t protected his heart from the gut-wrenching sadness sweeping his homeland.
Concern for his fellow Australians has spurred Mills into action. Patty’s taking it upon himself to raise awareness and spur relief efforts.
He wore a Brisbane Broncos rugby jersey to a recent game in the Rose Garden. His Twitter and Facebook pages are overflowing with stories from the ravaged state and information on how to donate. He and his parents even appeared on the television program Trail Blazers Courtside, where he wore the national colors of Australia, to spread the word.
“I think the most important part is that the people back there, that are going through this, know that we’re out here trying to support,” said Mills. “I’ve had some friends message and say ‘Thank you, it means a lot just to hear that you’re trying to help.’”
The Trail Blazers organization is backing Mills completely in his efforts. He proudly said, “I just got word today that a percentage of the sales from my jerseys will go to the donation there to help the funds for the floods and also they’ll have containers that people can donate at the Fan Shop as well.”
“Every little cent counts.” Mills said. How will you show your support?
Get a Patty Mills jersey now.