On September 6th, Paso Robles Professional Firefighters Local 4148, in partnership with several local organizations, proudly hosted the 3rd Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb benefiting AARBF. The event was well attended by local first responders and community members alike, all coming together to honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities and our nation. They are especially proud that proceeds from this event will directly support AARBF by sending three young burn survivors to Champ Camp—a life-changing experience for youth ages 5–17. At camp, these kids have the opportunity to learn new skills, build confidence, and enjoy recreational activities in a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.

We are thankful for our wonderful partners and sponsors who work all year round to support the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and our survivors by raising funds to help send campers to Champ Camp or sponsor memories like a new backpack or a fun activity during the week. This year we would like to thank Signature Aviation, Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union, Angel Flight, Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation, Wind and Fire Motorcycle Club, and the Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation. Your support and partnerships are greatly appreciated.

A favorite Champ Camp tradition is the annual Chili Cook-off. The kids have a great time tasting the chilis and voting for their favorites. This year, Fresno Firefighters retained their title for the second year as the Best Chili. Kings County Fire defended their Best Decorated Booth title, making this the third year in a row. Congratulations to both of our winning teams. The Chili Cook-off is a highly anticipated event and we appreciate all the work you do to spend the day with us in Wonder Valley. This year’s teams included: Fresno Fire Local 202, Clovis Fire Department, CALFIRE Fresno + Kings, Kingsburg Fire Department, Dinuba Fire Department, Clovis Peace Officers Association, CRMC- Burn Unit, Central Valley FF Credit Union, Friends of Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation Alumni Association, Kings County Fire Department, and Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation.

We are beyond grateful to John Patterson and Red Pointe Roofing for making this year’s 43rd Annual SoCal Golf Tournament a tremendous success. The May 6th event raised $40,556—a milestone that will help send young burn survivors to camp, giving them a summer of healing, fun, and friendship. To every participant, donor, and supporter who contributed—you made this possible! Your generosity and kindness are changing lives, and we could not appreciate you more.

On Sunday May 4th, over 1,000 runners including teams from 14 fire departments ran in the Fresno Urban Run. Amongst the teams the FCC Fire Academy Class 63, COS Fire Academy Class 21-43 and Scott “Pointdexter” Mellon ran to raise funds for Champ Camp 2025. Class 63 were our top fundraisers, helping to send 11 youth burn survivors to camp. This yearly Fresno tradition is a great way for AARBF to share our mission, and we are thankful to all the donors, organizers and runners who brave the stadium, parking garage and the 10-story climb to the top of the Grand. In 2025 you all help raise $19,488, thank you!

AARBF is grateful to the young men of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Fresno State for the success of their Philanthropy Week.   Brothers of the Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) Fraternity at Fresno State brought back their Philanthropy Week in April of 2025 to benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. The week-long contest, ending with a Pickleball Tournament, was part of the philanthropic mission of the PIKE brothers to support and raise awareness for communities such as those served by AARBF. The PIKE fraternity donated $9,005 to AARBF. The Delta Zeta Sorority was recognized as the Overall Winners and the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority as the winners of the Pickleball Tournament. AARBF is proud to partner with the next generation of philanthropists and leaders in the Central Valley.

On Saturday, March 8, 2025, Torrance Firefighters hosted their annual spaghetti dinner. It is so uplifting to see the Torrance community coming together to participate in this family-friendly event. We were delighted to have staff from the Torrance Memorial Burn Unit join us as we greeted and spoke with guests. We are thankful for the over 50 years of support we have received from the Torrance Firefighters and the Torrance Firefighters Women’s Association. The dinner as always was delicious and the bake sale items were scrumptious. If you get the chance, please give a huge thank you to the Torrance Firefighters for their continued support of our burn survivor programs and mission.

On Wednesday, March 19th, the California Fire Chiefs Association hosted AARBF’s Katrina Arthur and volunteers Chop Suey and Hydra at their 28th Annual Training Symposium Dinner and Corn Hole Tournament. While at the event, our AARBF representatives shared the mission and work of the foundation as well as helped to raise a record breaking $7,000 for prevention education and sending youth burn survivors to Champ Camp. The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation gives a warm thank you to the Cal Fire Chiefs Association and the Fresno Fire Department for inviting us to the 2025 Fire Symposium and for their continued support. 

On Wednesday, February 5th, AARBF partnered with nine fire departments, the Fresno Fire Chiefs Foundation, the CRMC Burn unit, and the Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union for the 10th Annual Central Valley Firefighters Burn Relay. The relay traveled across the valley starting in Madera headed to Clovis, Sanger, and down into Kingsburg before heading to the Fresno County Fire Museum at the Fresno Fire Headquarters in downtown Fresno. AARBF is proud to partner with these Fire Departments who donated a total of $19,000 in support of AARBF and our burn survivor programs, such as Champ Camp.  Thank you to CALFIRE MMU LOCAL 2881, CALFIRE FKU LOCAL 2881, Fresno Fire Local 202, Clovis Firefighters Local 1695, Sanger Firefighters Association, Selma Firefighters Association, Kingsburg Firefighters Association, Hanford Firefighters Association, Fresno Fire Chiefs Association, Coalinga Firefighters Association and a special thank you to the Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union for sponsoring the luncheon for all participating departments.

AARBF’s Daniel Chacon and Michael Knopf kicked off the month of February by attending the Santa Clara Crab Feed on the 1st. We were excited to see the return of this event which was held at the Great America Pavilion in Santa Clara. There were over 250 people in attendance, enjoying terrific food and having the opportunity to learn about AARBF. Thank You to Santa Clara City Firefighters Foundation for supporting AARBF and to Elizabeth “Tum Tum” Harkins for spending some time with us. This year’s event raised $10,000 for AARBF.

AARBF’s Katrina Arthur joined the Traffic Controllers Supervisors Association (TCSA) luncheon on December 10, 2024 where they presented her with toys from their special toy drive which directly benefits Central Valley burn survivor families who need a little extra help this holiday season. This is the second year TCSA has generously donated toys for this additional support. We’d also like to thank CRMC for helping to facilitate the delivery of these donations to the families!

We are so very thankful for our partnership with the Kiwanis Club of Clovis. Each year, they provide the cash bar for our Dinner & Dance and then donate the proceeds to AARBF and Champ Camp! On Thursday, November 14th, AARBF’s Katrina Arthur attended the morning Kiwanis meeting and was presented with a check for $2,000 which will sponsor 2 kids to camp!

On Friday, September 27, South San Francisco Firefighter’s Charitable Foundation hosted their 9th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament at the Orange Memorial Park Bocce Ball Courts. We had a great time. AARBF’s Daniel Chacon and volunteer Clark “Grizzy” Stern had a great time visiting with the teams and sharing information about the foundation! Proceeds from this event will benefit AARBF’s programs and services.

The Paso Robles Firefighters Association hosted their annual 9/11 stair climb event this year on Saturday, September 14th. This year’s event was opened up to the local community and they had close to 60 people in attendance who climbed the equivalent of 110 stories at the Paso Robles Event Center. The 9/11 stair climb pays tribute to those heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day. This year, Paso Robles Firefighters found it truly special to engage with their local community members who walked side by side sharing this experience.

“This is our second annual 9/11 stair climb here in Paso Robles, put on by the Paso Robles Fire Association and assisted by the San Miguel Fire Association,” said Dustin Virgil, a firefighter paramedic for the City of Paso Robles Fire Department and the event organizer. “This year we are excited as we’ve opened it up to the public. Here we are 23 years later, still honoring them.”

The 9/11 stair climb event was also an opportunity for the Paso Robles Firefighters Association to raise funds for AARBF and Champ Camp. Their event will sponsor a child to attend our 40th Champ Camp being held in June of 2025.