Christina Min: Ellwood & Louise Reed Bridge to Life Scholarship Recipient

 

I have been a part of AARBF for the past 12 years, Champ Camp for the past 10. Not only does that make me feel like I’m getting old but it also makes me feel extremely lucky.

I never thought that Champ Camp had an impact on me when I was younger, it was just a summer camp to me where we shot arrows and swam in pools. It’s by looking back that I can see that was the point, I learned to be a carefree child. Without even realizing, I stopped caring what others thought of me and it wasn’t just my scars, it was all my self-conscious parts, too. I have to credit AARBF for this, they allowed me to become myself for all hours of the day, 365 days a year. Plus, without seeing my family at Champ Camp, my school year would have been a bust. Camp is what got me through every dreaded school year and chemistry test because I kept thinking, “If I can get through this, it’ll bring me closer to camp.”

Now that I am 19, that doesn’t mean my time with AARBF has stopped. I still plan on attending events for an indefinite amount of time and supporting my camp family. And I know AARBF is still supporting me, especially with the Ellwood & Louise Reed Bridge to Life Scholarship. This scholarship helps me breath easier so I can focus more on my studies and goals at UCSB, rather than working more hours at my two jobs. Right now, I am also trying to save up for my study abroad year at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, so the Bridge to Life Scholarship is also helping me go half way across the world! From studying abroad in college and joining the Peace Corps, I hope to figure out what I want to do with my life, which right now is possibly law or working for a non-profit organization. Wherever my future ends up though, I doubt that I will miss an AARBF event.

-Christina Min

The Tropical Getaway 2009

The Getaway 2008 participants

The Getaway 2009

Join us for a weekend away from it all! This year AARBF is transforming our camp for adult burn survivors and their families into the “The Tropical Getaway 2009.”  Over the Labor Day weekend, September 5^th -7^th, 2009 at Camp Oakhurst, AARBF will be bringing people from all over California to reconnect, meet other families… and try something new!

Some highlights planned for The Getaway this year:

Support Groups:  Each day adults will have the opportunity to talk about challenges they face and ways they are working through those challenges. 

Kids’ Club:  Every day kids of all ages will have activities to participate in, including a nature hike, obstacle course and arts and crafts.

Talent Show: It’s back! Bring your talent and show case your family’s talents and be the star of the show.

Family Olympics: Everyone will work together to compete in the all-camp Olympic games that will involve water games, races and tons of fun.

High Ropes Course:  Participants will have the opportunity to complete an obstacle course 30 feet in the air, face your fears with your family by your side.

 

Every aspect of camp is designed to give families the chance to enjoy each other, so join us this year as we transform Camp Oakhurst into your family’s Tropical Getaway.  Can’t wait to see you and your families there!

Please click here to acces the event and the registration information.  If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Long at elong@aarbf.org or 1-888-492-BURN (2876)

YAS is where the heart is…..

Svetlana

 

By: Svetlana Granvold

My experience at the Young Adult Summit (YAS) has been an interesting one! Many youth who attend find it very favorable to their growth.

Personally, the experience has been more then a journey; it has been a fulfillment of my needs and a reminder that I need to stay on track and be happy with my life.  When I say this, I mean that the Summit has given me opportunities to seek out knowledge and experiences.  Learning how to budget, eat healthy, be positive, and to know the importance of pursuing an education are all things I have learned and taken away from YAS.

Lastly, I wanted to add that the event provided me with a comforting family feeling every time I am with my group of peers and the counselors that attend. The weekend makes everything seem like you’re at home. Home is where the heart is, and to me, heart is where the people of the Young Adult Summit are!

TGI Friday’s Throws a Benefit for AARBF! Come join in the fun!

T.G.I. Friday's Benefit

There’s a party going on and the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation is benefitting. T.G.I Friday’s is having a charity night on Monday, March 2, 2009 from 11 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the Puente Hills T.G.I.Friday’s Restaurant – 17427 Colima Road (626) 839-5044. When you present the event’s flier, 20% of the evenings sales will be donated to AARBF. Come out and support AARBF! Call our Burbank office at (818) 848-0223 and ask for Melissa and she’ll email the flier to you or email her at mkhamvongsa@aarbf.org. See you there!

World Burn Congress – One Survivor’s Story

Jennifer Allen-Social Worker at CRMC's Burn Unit, Mike Lopez-AARBF's WBC Scholarship Recipient, and Sandra Yovino-Nurse Manager at CRMC's Burn Unit Pose For A Picture While at World Burn Congress

Mike Lopez was awarded a scholarship from AARBF to attend World Burn Congress in Raleigh North Carolina.  Mike had an amazing time and was willing to share about his experience.  Below is one survivor’s story of World Burn Congress.

My experience at the World Burn Congress was a life changing event I’ll never forget.  It brought me together with burn survivors and care takers from around the world. There are days and nights where I feel like I am the only one who understands what its like, but at every second of WBC I felt connected with everyone. All participants who attended the conference knew what was up. I used to think that no one knew what it was like to walk in my shoes, but in the strangest way I met other survivors who knew exactly what I was going through.

On opening day I was a part of the Young Adult Odyssey. It was a lecture given by a mentor figure in the burn society. It gave all of the technical information to every aspect of moving forward in surviving your burns. Even though I feel like I already have enough motivation and confidence in myself to be apart of this support network I was still able to put in my thoughts and give some words to help others. I feel I did my part in this because I made a few statements that brought forth help on topics presented by survivors in need of some guidance.

WBC made me feel accepted in society. What helped me feel secure the most was the closing ceremony. All participants gathered in a circle over three hundred people where we held hands and listened to a motivating song that was sung by a pair of survivors. Throughout the song I looked around the circle and saw everyone connected, the feeling was so uplifting and at that very moment everyone was at peace and nothing else mattered.

I would highly recommend this event for all people in the burn society. Even if you feel like WBC is unnecessary for you because you obtain the steady emotions to press forward, you should still give it a try. Maybe you could be the one who helps motivate and guide survivors who are still trying to cope with their situation.

                                                Martin “Mike” Lopez

11th Annual Diamond Bar Golf Tournament

Ethan Ruch and Ken Hewett at the Diamond Bar Golf Tournament

 

The 11^th annual Diamond Bar Golf Tournament was held on September 22^nd at the Via Verde Country Club. This was a banner year for the tournament as it welcomed 4 new platinum sponsors and raised over $30,000 to help send kids to Champ Camp! Highlights of the days festivities included a putting contest, an 18 hole 4-man team competition, a trophy presentation and an exciting opportunity drawing and auction.
 

AARBF would like to thank Ken and Toni Hewett for 27 years of support and for their tremendous effort to make this tournament happen year after year.

 

AARBF would also like to thank the Ruch Family, Jim Stamp and the numerous volunteers and participants who donated their time and money to make this tournament an amazing event.

Fire Prevention Week

It only takes a second. . .

During October’s Fire Prevention week, the Prevention team encourages families to plan their “Great Escape Plan” by making sure that they talk to their children about the safest way to leave their home in case of a fire.

Fire Prevention Week is October 5 – 11 and this year’s theme is “Prevent Home Fires.” In 2006 there were nearly 400,000 home fires in the United States. In light of this, we recommend parents walking through their homes with their children and identifying what are safest routes out. Families can make it a fun activity by having their children draw their home map with their escape route on the map.

Your family’s Great Escape should include a designated meeting place outside the home so that everyone knows where to go. Every year children participate in a variety of emergency preparedness drills at their schools – this year as a family, plan a fire escape drill in your home and model positive prevention messages!

 

 

 

Congratulations to World Burn Congress Award Recipeint

Mike and his girlfriend Stephanie, at AARBF's Get A Way, a retreat for adult burn survivors

 

 

Congratulations to Mike Lopez on receiving the AARBF scholarship to attend the World Burn Congress October 1-4, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina!

 

The World Burn Congress (WBC), hosted by the Phoenix Society, is a world wide conference for more than 650 burn survivors & loved ones, burn care professionals and firefighters.  This is the Phoenix Society’s 20^th annual conference.  It is filled with inspirational stories of survival, courage and personal growth.   To learn more about the World Burn Congress go to:   http://www.phoenix-society.org/programs/worldburncongress/

 

 

 

Mike, we hope that your experience at WBC both a powerful and life changing experience.

 

World Burn Congress is a powerful experience for burn care professionals, firefighters and burn survivors.  If you have had the chance to attend, please share your experiences about WBC and any tips for Mike to get the most out of his experience.

 

 

 

Cars for a Cause

Did you know you can donate your vehicle and earmark the proceeds to go to AARBF?  Each year AARBF receives generous gifts through companies like All Bay Vehicle Donations and Donate Cars USA.  Please keep this in mind when you are thinking about donating a vehicle.  AARBF would love to be a beneficiary!

Cars, Boats, RV

Check out our website at:

http://www.aarbf.org/help/car.htm

or  www.carsforcharities.com/aarbf.htm

Wouldn’t it be great if they would take retired fire engines/trucks?  We could make a killing!

Every dollar counts!  Thanks for thinking of us.

Have you ever donated a car before? Respond to this blog and let our readers know how easy it is.

Families Join AARBF for The Get A Way!

The Get A Way  August 29 – September 1, 2008.

My son and I are getting excited about our return to The Get A Way (formerly Family Camp), remembering how much fun it was last year. There was so many events, various activities, games, fun sports, arts and crafts etc., something for everyone and so much more! Hope to see our old friends and meet new friends. I like the friendly/family like feeling. Cheers to the friendly, helpful and fun Get A Way volunteers, I especially like the evening variety programs. And can’t forget that the food is awesome – NO COOKING! Sounds like a “Get A Way” to me. See you all soon! I’m ready!!!

 

Jonathan Harmom & Dottie Goulet