Jeanne Terwilliger

On April 15th, the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation celebrated our 54th Anniversary by kicking on the annual Champy-On fundraiser. This year’s campaign is extra special as it honors the 40th year of Champ Camp. 

We invite you to join Champy-On. You can create a team, join an existing team, or make a one-time donation to support the campaign.

We have a special bonus for Team Leaders – Create a team and gain 5 unique donors (one can be you!) and you’ll earn an exclusive Discount Code (a $15 value) to the Champ Camp Store (Must be completed before May 16, 2025 – see link below).  

We will have 5 weekly challenges with winners announced each Friday in May. Complete the challenge and you’ll be entered to win AARBF swag!

Donors will also have a chance to win. Each donation of $40 = 1 ticket, entering you in a raffle to be drawn at the Champ Camp Chili Cook-Off for an amazing prize. (Earn more tickets at each $40 increment, ie, $80 = 2 tickets, $120 = 3 tickets.) You do not need to be present to win. 

And don’t forget – all donations of $100 or more will receive our exclusive Sticker of the Month. You have the chance to collect stickers for May and June. 

Visit the Champy-On page at https://givebutter.com/ChampyOn2025. We appreciate your support.  

For questions, please contact Katrina Arthur at 818-848-0223 Ext. 110 or karthur@aarbf.org.

AARBF joined an amazing community event on April 12th, the fourth annual County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LACoFD) SIRENS OF SILENCE event, “Special Day with First Responders.” We spent the day with many other organizations dedicated to autism and special needs awareness and acceptance. This event was a time for families to engage with first responders in a sensory-friendly environment. AARBF’s Martha Banks was delighted to share our N.I.C.K. for Fire and Burn Safety program and other prevention materials and programming available. Click here to learn more about prevention through AARBF.

Fulfilling the mission of the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation is only possible through the help of our fabulous and dedicated volunteers. Each April, during Volunteer Appreciation Week, we highlight seven areas of impact and honor those who have helped further AARBF’s mission over the past year.

Burn Prevention Education: Coalinga Fire Department

The Coalinga Fire Department joined AARBF in 2023 as a partner in the 1st Annual Central Valley Holiday Toy Drive. Over the past two years, they have continued to support and partner with the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation in local events and programs. Their commitment to the mission of prevention education alongside AARBF is highlighted in their participation through a CAL FIRE grant aimed at educating children and families on AARBF’s Wildfire P.R.E.P.A.R.E. guide and resources. Through this partnership, we look to increase awareness and preparedness in communities affected by the lengthening wildfire season. The members of the Coalinga Fire Department have partnered with AARBF to develop a pilot program for the distribution of the Wildfire P.R.E.P.A.R.E. materials to the residents of Coalinga, acting as a model for future prevention education programs throughout the state.  The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation is proud to acknowledge the continued work of the Coalinga Fire Department as they serve the citizens of their city and the wider burn community.   

Survivor Services: Eunice Villa-Lopez

Eunice is a burn survivor who has been actively involved and volunteering with AARBF for more than 25 years. 

When Eunice was 4 years old, she tried to reach for a cup at a top cabinet over the stove. Since one of the burners was on, her dress caught on fire, leaving her with third-degree burns over 60% of her body. Even though it was difficult to live with her burns at such a young age, Eunice received a lot of love and support from her family and loved ones. Eunice received treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children, Galveston, at the beginning of her treatment, and she was transferred later on to Shriners Hospital, Los Angeles, where she was treated until her 18th birthday. Eunice has been involved with our foundation since she was 12 years old, and she became a volunteer after attending Champ Camp. Eunice shared that through all the activities, support groups, and camps, she “not only felt supported but seen.”

At AARBF, she was able to meet other burn survivors with whom she was able to relate and also form lifelong friendships. Eunice attended Champ Camp and became a CIT. Later on she got married and gave birth to three amazing children that, along with her, became volunteers and have been helping at different events. For several years, Eunice has created the centerpieces and decorated our Southern California Christmas party. She participates in and has facilitated support groups, peer support, hospital support, family camp support groups, and many other events. Eunice shared, “Being part of AARBF has helped me not only in my journey as a burn survivor, but it has also been a place where I can go to for support. It is a place where I am surrounded by friends that already became family. I am grateful for AARBF and for being part of this great organization for so many years.”

Fundraising: Wind and Fire Motorcycle Club

For over 30 years, the Wind and Fire Motorcycle Club has been a symbol of unity and community service. This year marks their 31st anniversary of supporting Champ Camp, with Javier Lara and his partner Mary leading Chapter 44 in the Fresno area. Javier joined the club in 2000 and quickly became a dedicated leader, continuing the club’s mission to support the community, especially children in need. Javier’s involvement in the club goes beyond the love of riding. Under the guidance of club founder Bill Cadam, who brought the club into burn camp, Javier discovered a deeper purpose. Bill’s vision of connecting firefighters with burn survivors has had a lasting impact, and for Javier and Mary’s first experience at burn camp, it was transformative. “It changed my view. It’s one of those things that stays with you,” they shared. 

For Javier and the club, burn camp is more than just charity work—it is part of their journey as firefighters. “Giving back is never done. It’s a servant’s heart that keeps giving,” says Javier. The emotional bond with the kids and counselors at burn camp has a profound effect, leaving everyone involved forever changed. Javier emphasizes, “A lot of things come and go, but the dedication to the kids is unwavered!” The club’s commitment to supporting children through burn camp is constant and meaningful, showing that the true heart of Wind and Fire is its service to the community. 

As Chapter 44 celebrates its 31st year of supporting Champ Camp, Wind and Fire’s legacy of service continues to grow, showing that their work extends far beyond the motorcycle rides—it is about making a real difference in the lives of children and the community.  

Executive: Susan Catalano

Susan Catalano joined the AARBF Council of Advisors in 2023. Through this role, she learned of the foundation’s need to develop a new website. Susan also learned that our systems were not connected resulting in additional work from staff. So, in 2024, Susan took on what became an enormous project.

Susan’s professional career spans both Biotech and High Tech with executive roles at Sony, Beckton Dickenson, and Netscape Communications. Across all of her roles, she led large global teams responsible for communications and e-business. She has won awards for leadership, communications and international business. Susan parlayed connections she had made throughout her career to put together a team to execute the vision of linking our website to our Salesforce database and QuickBooks.

Susan guided every step of the website redesign, conducting several meetings each week with both the development team and AARBF staff. The project went beyond simply updating and modernizing the graphics. The vision was complex, modernize the look and feel to include better viewing on hand-held devices, create additional ways for users to contact us and deliver that information directly into our database, enhance the donor experience by creating a more user-friendly form with both credit card and digital payment options, and ultimately organize the content to tell our story.

When notified of her award, Susan said, “I love storytelling. AARBF is such an amazing organization, so an honor to get the opportunity to tell the organization’s story. The people who work there are so dedicated to helping the burn survivors and families that they help. So many in California have benefited from their guidance and love. Their services and prevention efforts are to be lauded.” 

People’s Choice: Marissa “Hydra” McCallough

In 2010, Hydra’s journey with AARBF’s Champ Camp began unexpectedly when she took a lifeguard job, thinking it was just another summer gig. Little did she know this experience would change her life. 

It was the first time Hydra had ever met a burn survivor, felt a graft site, or even been to a summer camp, so it was all completely new to her. She was amazed by the resiliency of the campers and the palpable love throughout the camp. She knew she had found something special. Champ Camp inspired her to train in the Burn Unit, become a burn nurse, and continues to shape her as both a nurse and person. AARBF and Champ Camp changed her life 15 years ago, and her passion for the burn community continues to grow. 

That first summer sparked a lifelong commitment to supporting burn survivors. The strength of the campers inspired Hydra to pursue a career in burn care. She later returned in 2018 as a counselor and dove back into the AARBF community with dedication. Over the years, Hydra’s role has evolved from lifeguard to counselor, from volunteer to advocate, always going above and beyond to support burn survivors. 

This year, Hydra is honored with the People’s Choice Award for her 7 years of volunteer work. Her deep commitment and positive impact on the burn community make this recognition well-deserved. 

Thank you, Hydra, for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and for making a lasting difference in the lives of so many. We are so grateful to have you as part of our AARBF/Champ Camp family. 

Champy-On: Rob “Jack Rabbit” Hecocks 

For over two decades, Rob “Jack Rabbit” has dedicated himself to the AARBF community, starting with the ski trip in 1998. After moving to Murphys and bonding with his Battalion Captain, “Colonel,” he began helping with the ski trip, which evolved into a decade of family involvement. He quickly connected with burn survivors, appreciating their resilience beyond their physical scars. 

Encouraged by fellow volunteers, Jack Rabbit joined Champ Camp in 2009, starting with the Rancheros, then moving to Wranglers, and eventually working with Seniors for 7-8 years. He took on a mentoring role for new staff and faced challenges with the unwavering support of his team.  

In 2020, Jack Rabbit became a unit leader, focusing on creating a supportive environment for campers and staff while sharing the same sense of community he experienced as a counselor. He values the deep connections formed at Champ Camp, which inspire him to return annually. 

Motivated by the joy of helping others, his wife, Mrs. Rabbit, supports both survivors and the camp’s smooth operation. Jack Rabbit is even considering joining the board after completing his school board duties.  

His journey with AARBF highlights the power of community and mentorship. We honor Jack Rabbit with the Champy-on award for his 16 years of dedication to Champ Camp. 

Ruch Family Circle:  Jenna “Sweet Pea” Graham

Sweet Pea started her career as a firefighter at Mountain View Fire Department in March 2000. Through years of hard work and commitment she steadily climbed the ranks and retired as Battalion Chief of Training and EMS for MVFD in the in 2024. While at MVFD Sweet Pea and some of her team members were inspired to start the Mountain View Firefighters Pancake Breakfast following a similar model to other successful events in the Bay Area. Despite a short pause due to COVID, the Mountain View Firefighters Pancake Breakfast has been going strong for nearly 20 years with the proceeds from that event going to AARBF in support of programs like Champ Camp and the Ski Trip both of which hold a special place in Sweet Pea’s heart.

Just before her career as a firefighter, Sweet Pea first learned about Champ Camp while attending paramedic school from colleagues there who had attended as counselors for young burn survivors. After discovering that many of her team at MVFD had also attended Champ Camp she knew she had to get involved. Sweet Pea spent a few years as a counselor as for both the Ranchero and Senior age group but ultimately landed as the Wrangler age group unit leader where she would continue to connect with and support adolescent burn survivors.

After getting more involved with the burn survivor community, Sweat Pea was able to be a part of some truly lifechanging opportunities. Sweet Pea was selected to take a Champ Camper to the International association of Fire Fighters camp in Washington DC, an incredibly valuable opportunity to connect burn survivors from all around the country. In 2010, Sweet Pea was able to obtain legal guardianship of the Vo sisters, a family of young burn survivors who attended Champ Camp every summer as campers. Now, the Vo sisters continue to inspire and support future young burn survivors as Champ Camp counselors and as prime examples of resilience in the face of adversity.

Sweet Pea has been keeping herself occupied doing what some of us could only dream of. Shredding the trails on her mountain bike and working hard to be an aerobatic pilot. That’s right, someday you might look up and see Sweet Pea up there hitting some crazy maneuvers! Best of all, Sweet Pea gets to continue spending time with her beautiful family as Grandma Jenna!

Sweet Pea, thank you so much for making such a positive impact on the lives of so many burn survivors, and for all that you have done for the foundation, you are loved and appreciated.

Champ Camp Store: For a limited time only, you can purchase AARBF’s Champ Camp merch. Visit our online store at http://www.archerandhound.com/champcamp to purchase your items today.

Want to get a $15 discount? Join the Champy-On Fundraiser before the store closes on May 16th. Create a team and gain 5 unique donors (one can be you!) to receive your exclusive Discount Code!

Calling All Cooks: The annual Champ Camp Chili Cook-Off will be held on Wednesday, June 11th, during Champ Camp in Wonder Valley. If you’d like to join the fun, please register using the link below. Our Camper will judge the recipes, so please plan your recipe accordingly.

To register, please visit: https://www.aarbf.org/champ-camp-chili-cook-off/

For more information, contact Katrina Arthur at karthur@aarbf.org. 

Registration Closing Soon: Champ Camp will be held at the Wonder Valley Resort in Sanger on June 7th – 14th. Camp is open to burn survivor children, ages 5-17. It is a great place for kids to be kids, making lasting friendships.

Register your child today at http://app.campdoc.com/register/aarbf.

For questions, please contact Erika “Kika” Mendoza at emendoza@aarbf.org.

Support Our Arts & Crafts: Each year, our program staff creates a wish list of items needed for arts and crafts, as wells as water games and activities. To purchase an item from our Amazon wish list, please visit https://a.co/3El8l9z.

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 April 30, 2025, after 25 years of service to the citizens of Menlo Park, California, Fire Marshal Jon Johnston celebrated with colleagues, friends, and family his retirement from the Menlo Park Fire District.  Jon has helped the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation as a representative at golf tournaments and also in helping the Board of Directors.  During his time with Menlo Park, Jon organized and directed the Menlo Park Pancake Breakfast, benefiting the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.  Over the 25 years, the pancake breakfast has raised over $250,000 to help fund the important programs the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation provides.  The breakfast also includes a community outreach and fire prevention education opportunities.  When Jon spoke, he was typical Jon, when he reminded everyone that any success that he has accomplished has always been attributable to the team that surrounded him.

Jon will be moving to the East Coast and we wish him and his family well as they look forward to the next chapter in their lives.  Jon still looks forward to staying connected to the AARBF.  We want thank the Menlo Park Fire District for hiring Jon and supporting the AARBF and to wish Jon a hearty congratulations on a job well done professionally and for contributing and being such a meaningful part of the AARBF family. 

The Friends of AARBF is a quasi Alumni Association for past and present volunteers, camp counselors, staff, prevention partners, fundraising partners, survivors and their families, everyone who has been a super stakeholder for AARBF along the way these past 54 years.

We plan on this launching as a social group to get reconnected as much as anything else at the start, and we hope to grow it into something grander, maybe helping in fundraising to keep the foundation’s work going strong, maybe even become our own auxiliary 501(c)3 non-profit in the future!  While there will be social, volunteer, and donor opportunities, there is no commitment until something strikes your fancy and you feel like participating!

If you have already joined, thank you. Please help us reach more people by sharing this message with your AARBF friends.

If you are interested in joining us, please provide your contact information here: https://forms.gle/AMQrDVo4NcSmZU6i8

For questions about the association, please reach out to Mike “Otter” at 650-515-6142 or otter.mouser@pacbell.net.

Back by popular demand, please join us for another All Champ Camp Counselor Reunion.

Date:  Saturday August 16, 2025
Time:   2pm-8pm
Location:  Mike “Colonel” Sanders House at 13595 Sycamore Dr. Morgan Hill CA 95037//408-892-0902         
Cost:  $20 per person, spouses and kids are invited – BY 8/5 to Beanie via VENMO@Sandra-Smith-72 or Zelle 650-438-9173
Food: Hamburgers and hot dogs, water and some soft drinks will be provided.

If you plan on attending, please bring some other kinds of food to share with the group.  (Your choice- appetizer, casserole, salad, dessert, or anything else you might want to share with the group).

Theme: “40 Years!” (Sticking with this year’s camp theme and another reason to celebrate each & every one of you!)

Plan on there being group skits, songs, and several other surprises throughout the event. Please wear an old Champ Camp shirt.

There are several hotels in the area if you want to stay in town.

(Colonel has about 8 acres of flat ground if you wish to bring a trailer, motorhome or whatever you want to sleep in. He does not have power, water or dumping facilities.)

 We are in need of several volunteers for this event.  If you would like to help, let us know.

  *  Set Up tables and chairs (Saturday noon)

  *  1-2 Volunteers to BBQ

  *  Sign in with name tags

  *  Clean up

  *  Donations of plates, forks, napkins, ice, condiments

  *   Activity Games Coordinator

RSVP BY August 5th along with your current contact phone and email info.

Questions?  Contact Colonel 408-892-0902, 2c60ms@gmail.com or Beanie 650-438-9173, SandraEZsmith@gmail.com

If you have contact with any past counselors, please feel free to pass this information to us.

Time is running out to apply for the Woody and Louise Reed Bridge to Life Scholarship. This incredible program, made possible by the Reed family, awards scholarships to burn survivors or their immediate family members seeking post-secondary education after high school. This can be a community college, college, university, or trade school, and is open to all ages, going directly into or returning to education.

Apply today at: https://forms.gle/pjkdLejUMfefvXsbA

For questions, please contact us at info@aarbf.org.