December 2024 Burn Bulletin
A Great Start to the Day
Each year, the Kiwanis Club of Clovis provides the cash bar for our annual Dinner & Dance and then donates the proceeds to us in support of our programs and services, such as Champ Camp. On Thursday, November 14th, Katrina Arthur was up bright and early to attend the morning Kiwanis meeting and was honored to be presented with a check for $2,000. This donation will sponsor two children to attend our 40th Champ Camp in June 2025.
An Awarding Experience with IABC
November 13-15, Daniel Chacon attended the bi-annual conference for the International Association of Burn Camps (IABC) hosted by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation at their Twin Lakes Camp. At the conference, Daniel was honored to accept two awards. The first was in honor of his work with the IABC Board of Directors. The second, the Camp Spirit Award which was awarded posthumously to James Bosch for his many years of work within the burn community and his contribution towards burn camp programming. This award was accepted on behalf of James’ family. Daniel enjoyed his time networking with and learning from other camp professionals from all across North America.
Holiday Toy Drives Support Survivors
During the month of November, we had wonderful community partners hosting toy drives in the Central Valley, greater Los Angeles area, and San Jose/San Francisco Bay area to benefit AARBF’s holiday parties.
In the Central Valley, we partnered with the Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union, Sierra High CSF, Coalinga Fire Department, and the Leon S Peters Burn Unit at CRMC. For the Los Angeles party, we were excited to partner for the first time with F&A Federal Credit Union. In the Bay area, we partnered once again with the Bank of Montreal (BMO Bank) at fourteen of their locations from Gilroy to Redwood City. The toy drive within BMO Bank will continue until the end of December and the toys collected will be provided to the burn units to use for their young patients all year round.
We greatly appreciate our toy drive partners and all they do to make the holidays brighter for burn survivors and their families.
Check Presentations in November
During November, Daniel Chacon visited with the representatives of the Northern California Fire Prevention Officers Association and was presented with a check for $2,500 which was proceeds from their annual Golf Tournament. Daniel also met up with our friends at Sunnyvale Public Safety Officer’s Association where he received a check for $7,625 from their annual Pancake Breakfast. These partnerships ensure we can continue providing much needed prevention programming throughout California as well as emotional support services to our burn survivors.
Managing Holiday Stress
We have entered the holiday season and for some it can be a source of stress. Organizing the gatherings and meals can become a storm of misunderstandings and disagreements, especially for some of our burn survivors and their families. But how to improve the situation?
- It’s okay to say no to events that can bring a lot of stress.
- Practice gratitude, focusing on the good that the event can bring, such as seeing family and friends you haven’t seen in a long time.
- Limit yourself and agree to stay for a few hours or minutes at the event if you feel uncomfortable.
- Be kind to yourself and give yourself permission to feel all the emotions if you’re struggling with some of them.
- Consider virtual meetings.
By acknowledging your needs and allowing yourself to navigate the holiday season in a way that feels right to you and your loved ones, the holiday season can become a time of healing and connection, rather than just a source of stress.
Our Care Managers are here to help. If you need group or peer support, please reach out to Martha Banks at [email protected] (Southern CA) or Michael Knopf at [email protected] (Northern CA).
Rosa Diaz: From Isolation to Community
“It would have been impossible for me to be where I am right now, if I had not received the emotional, physical, and financial support from the Burn Foundation.” -Rosa Diaz
In December 2007, just as the holidays began, Rosa suffered a severe burn injury. What should have been a season of joy turned into one of pain and uncertainty. Yet, her journey from isolation to community reminds us of the difference we can make, especially during the holidays when hope and healing are needed most. Click here to continue Rosa’s story.
Taking the Scenic Route
The SoCal Burn Ride revved up its engines for a good cause on Oct. 26. Motorcyclists gathered at the Lakeside Pavilion of Conejo Creek North Park in Thousand Oaks for a scenic two-hour ride organized to raise funds for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.
Opening ceremonies began at 9 a.m., with a Presentation of Colors by the 205th Battalion, California Cadet Corps, Pacoima Middle School, and the singing of the National Anthem by a vocalist with the Seal Beach Symphony. Speakers included Daniel Chacon, executive director of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, and burn survivor and volunteer Paul Harris.
Then it was kickstands up at 10 a.m. Riders covered 60 miles in all, traveling past Point Mugu State Park, along the Pacific Coast Highway and through the Santa Monica Mountains. The ride began and ended at Conejo Creek Park, with an afterparty at 12 p.m. that featured a variety of vendors, live music, food by Taco Loco and “Ride N Repeat” photos courtesy of photographer Jeff Thomas of Turn N Burn Magazine. The event also featured raffles for fantastic prizes and a motorcycle simulator presented by Apex Studio 66 out of Santa Clarita.
The SoCal Burn Ride was founded in 2014 by burn survivor Trevor Holtan and U.S. Marine Corps Major David Kuntz as a way to support burn survivors in California through the work of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. Proceeds from the Oct. 26 ride will go toward Champ Camp.
(story courtesy of Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer of vcreporter)
Volunteer Opportunties:
Please check with your regional office for more information on upcoming volunteer opportunities.
For Northern California, please contact Scott “Scooter” Wertz at [email protected] or 415-495-7223 Ext. 19
For Central California, please contact McKenzie “Bubbles” Dern at [email protected] or 559-286-0710 Ext. 15
For Southern California, please contact Margarita “Cubby” Rodriguez at [email protected] or 818-848-0223 Ext. 16
Upcoming Events:
We have a new schedule for our support groups. Please click here to see what has changed for 2024.
Or, contact us at [email protected] for more information.
Watch for information coming soon about our holiday parties!
If you missed any of our past Burn Bulletins, please check out our archives.