AARBF will be hosting its 23^rd year of Champ Camp June 14 – 21, 2008.   Champ Camp is a week-long overnight camp for burn injured children between the ages of 5 and 16. It is truly a wonderful experience, where campers are able to forget about their burn injury and simply be a child having fun. 

Champ Camp is successful because of committed volunteers who donate their time and talents to create a safe, and supportive environment for campers.  This year AARBF is anticipating an increase in campers due to the date change and therefore NEEDS MORE COUNSELORS!  Currently there is a 90% retention rate of returning counselors, many of whom have been involved for 10+ years.  Consider getting involved – no experience with burn injuries is required.  Applications are due March 31, 2008.

For more specific information on volunteering please call Renee “Baker” Croteau at 1(800) 755-BURN or go to www.aarbf.org/services/champcamp.htm for an application.

Also, check out our gallery of photos at http://www.aarbf.org/gallery/gallery.htm.  How can you pass up these smiles?  It is clear we are making an impact in their lives. 

The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation is kicking off its public safety campaign focused on scald prevention in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Alameda Counties on March 31! Generously funded by FEMA through a Fire Prevention and Safety grant, the campaign will reach millions through advertisements posted on public transit and bus shelters, and even Los Angeles fire engines. AARBF has also partnered with local hospitals, clinics, and other community centers to get the word out.

The campaign aims to educate parents of children under 5 about the danger of hot liquids. Scald injuries are highly preventable, yet thousands of California children are injured by hot foods and drinks each year. The campaign advertisements will raise awareness of scald injuries, as well as giving caregivers tips on how to keep children safe from burns.

On March 31, AARBF will also unveil the new Protect Your Child scald prevention kits, now available in English and Spanish and in two age groups: Infant and Toddler. The kits are free to any parent or caregiver in California, and can be ordered online at www.beburnsafe.com, or by calling your local office. For more information on the kits and how to prevent scalds, visit the Protect Your Child page on our website.

Open up your wallets ladies….10 eligible firefighter bachelors are going up for auction to benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. If the previous years’ event is any indication, these bachelors don’t need fire to get things hot.

The event is more or less like any other auction. Interested bachelorettes register and receive a paddle to make bids. The bachelors are shown onstage where you can learn a little about them. And the bidding begins. Historically, the prices go up the later the evening gets so bid early!

The winning women are then treated to an all-expense-paid date with their bachelor on a VIP limo wine tasting excursion with the other winners and their dates. http://www.hobolimo.com/ourlimos.htm There are firefighters on auction to meet everyone’s preferences so come out and check it out! 

Tickets are $35 at the door and $30 in advance. VIP tickets (for $75) give you a meet and greet with the bachelors, snacks, complimentary drink, and a VIP swag bag which includes goodies like a free lesson for pole dancing and more!  

To purchase tickets go to: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/30168 or call 1-800-838-3006

Contact: Emily Goldman, (510) 220-7741, auction@aarbf.org

AARBF’s staff, board and volunteers would like to welcome you to our blog. We’re hoping this will give AARBF’s growing community of burn survivors, burn prevention professionals, and volunteers a place to chat about what’s happening and how we can all support one another.

Our thoughts on the blog: It’s a great place to…

• log your impressions about a recent event or fundraiser
• talk about an experience you had with the Burn Foundation
• share words of wisdom or resources that might be useful to our readership
• let our readership know if you need help with an upcoming event

You can either comment on an existing entry or send us a guest blog submission by emailing us at info@aarbf.org. We’d love to hear from you!