The Survivor Services Award goes to…Bob Aymar!

Bob Aymar is one of those volunteers you wish you could clone a hundred times. His empathy as a burn survivor brings comfort to the bedside of patients just beginning their healing journey, and his easy laugh and willingness to always step up lightens every room. On top of it all, his wife and family are with him every step of the way making each interaction a joy…and if you’re not careful, while he’s making you laugh, he’ll sneak a little wisdom in there, too.

The Burn Prevention Award goes to…Ed Comeau!

Ed Comeau’s background includes almost 40 years in the fields of firefighting, fire protection engineering, investigations fire safety, and prevention. Throughout his career, he has made extensive use of writing and communications, which led to him transitioning into grant writing. Ed has been AARBF’s FEMA Grant Writer and Grant Manager since 2016 and has supported AARBF in 3 burn prevention grants: Fire Fighters in Safety Education, The BeSafe Tool, and our current grant, the IMPAC-Tool.  Ed has been a critical resource to the Foundation and the work we do, and we are so excited to present him with this award in Burn Prevention!

The Champy-On Award goes to…Duane “Flash” Holt!

Flash was always a counselor’s counselor at camp. He was mentor, friend, skit-creator-EXTRAORDINAIRE, and fun-loving imp. Whether it was a camp-appropriate version of the funniest SNL skit you can think of, or one he remembered from 30 years prior, Flash always had a skit ready. Bringing props that he and his family had created over the previous year, he would put on a show to remember. These skits were special not only for the campers, but also for the counselors that he made feel like they were part of the Champ Camp family the second they delivered the line that had everyone laughing.

Flash was so often so confident and up for anything, you could almost miss the mischief and quiet good-fun-trouble he could stir up while nobody was watching. He would stay up all night making a friendship bracelet if he thought it would bring his secret pal a smile, which is just one small example of how Flash always put others first. He will always hold a special place in everyone’s heart. He is someone that we think of often, and miss terribly!

The People’s Choice Award goes to…Marissa “Hydra” McCallough!

Marissa “Hydra” McCallough’s love for Champ Camp started many, many years ago as a lifeguard for Champ Camp. Her love for all things camp has grown immensely. There is hardly a time when Hydra doesn’t talk about camp, help with pre-planning at camp, and give 100% while at camp. She carries the camp spirit with her to her current job at CRMC, where she is a burn nurse and also helps lead their support group and aftercare, linking countless burn survivors to the foundation and camp.

Hydra is one of those people you know you can count on to always be there with an open heart, hands ready to work, and a smile that can brighten anyone’s day. She really is the epitome of our People’s Choice Award. We love Hydra and the joy and passion that she brings into the foundation!

The 2023 Ruch Family Circle Award goes to…Debra Reed!

Each year, the Woody & Louise Reed “Bridge to Life Scholarship” provides for burn survivors and their family members who have been involved with AARBF and need financial aid to pursue an education after high school–including trade school, community college and university. Through the years, it has been an honor and a privilege to have a member of the Reed Family–Debra Reed–serving on the scholarship selection committee. Debra’s beloved husband, Ted, was the brother of Woody Reed, and they were committed to creating this legacy for the Reed family. Debra has been a relentless proponent for increasing support for burn survivors year after year. Her goal was to make a significant impact in the lives of burn survivors seeking higher education. Thank you, Debra, for helping to provide our survivors with the foundation for a brighter future!