Jeanne Terwilliger

Over the Presidents’ Day weekend, February 13th – 16th, we gathered with 27 of our young adults for the Young Adult Summit (YAS). This year’s theme was YOUniverse exemplifying how each survivor was unique and also part of the greater collective.

Seeing our 16-20-year-olds show up, asking real questions, supporting each other, and really leaning into every workshop was amazing. From learning about medical forms and home repair to body image, relationships, sleep science, and public speaking, these young adults gave it their all. Plus, getting to explore the beach and local wildlife together made it even more special. We are so incredibly proud of the growth and skills we were able to witness this weekend.

Thank you to our incredible volunteer/mentors who have made such a profound commitment to the YAS program. Many of our mentors have been returning to YAS year after year, donating their time, professional skills, creativity, and more. This weekend event would not be possible without them.  

Along with the Young Adult Summit, we were also excited to host 22 adult burn survivors at Camp Ocean Pines for our annual Adult Retreat. Folks joined us from all over California, and we were fortunate enough to have a group from the BC Burn Fund join us as well. The weekend started off with an amazing opening ceremony curated by our longtime friend and supporter of the burn survivor community, Wendy, who highlighted the significance of the upcoming Lunar new year. The transition from the year of the snake to this year of the fire horse had so much strong imagery and messages that burn survivors could relate to. The idea that this weekend was an opportunity to shed our skin, grow a little bit, and ride a fire horse confidently into the next phase of our lives was so powerful.

We spent the weekend making meaningful connections with one another and processing our thoughts and feelings around being a burn survivor through art projects, workshop activities, and of course tons of rich discussion between peers. One of the art projects we spent a lot of time on was a mask panting exercise. Attendees decorated the outside of their masks with images or colors that capture how we think we are perceived by others, and the inside would be decorated with how we perceive ourselves. This generated a ton of great discussion about how, and why there is usually a big difference between the two and really helped the group gain a better understanding of ourselves and each other.

We had one afternoon where the weather was more forgiving, so we decided it was a good idea to spend that time at the beach. What better place to unwind, take a breather, and continue to connect with each other and our environment. For many people, it can be really challenging to dedicate time to just take a moment, enjoy the beauty of nature, and just appreciate all the small things that got you to that moment. Seizing this opportunity in what would otherwise be a very scheduled, action-packed weekend was a great reminder to everyone that sometimes taking a break is just what we need to make sure we can take the next steps restored and reinvigorated.

Throughout the weekend we were treated to so many talented folks sharing their art with the group. From one of our new friends at the BC Burn Fund, we were blown away by a song they had written during their time in the hospital right after their burn injury. Phoenix by Valor Grey captures the feelings this survivor had during that really critical time where you are faced with tremendous adversity and uncertainty, but through such adversity they have become braver, stronger, and so much more than the scars you might see. After listening, we couldn’t help but feel empowered by our experiences and proud of each other for everything we had to overcome to get where we are today.  An attendee from the Bay Area shared an animated music video they had created for their senior art project that was heavily inspired by their experience as a burn survivor. Set It On Fire by Bentbones on YouTube depicts a ghost child who, despite persisting through incredibly difficult situations, does not always feel seen or understood. This message resonates with many burn survivors and after watching, it became easier to embrace vulnerability and feel connected and supported by one another by realizing we are not the only ones who have had these difficult feelings. All of the art shared this weekend, whether it was professionally constructed or not, was intended to show the similarities we have and the journey we go through as burn survivors. The courage it took each and every participant to capture their experience through art and share it for others to understand and connect with inspiring, and made such a strong healing impact I know many of us will cherish for a long time.

Towards the end of the retreat, we were able to have a sit-down family style dinner where we could all be together and recap what a special time we all got to have. With our hearts full, and new friends made, we set off the following day looking forward to the next Adult Retreat. So much gratitude for everyone who was able to attend and for all of those who contributed towards making this event as meaningful as it was. Special shout out to our volunteers, Cindy Rutter, Wendy Domster, and Daniel Chacon, as well as Andrew from Camp Ocean Pines, thank you all so much, and can’t wait to see you next time.

On Friday, February 13th, AARBF’s Associate Director, Katrina Arthur, was honored to attend the 91st Members Dinner hosted by the Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union. CVFireCU is a proud sponsor of AARBF, supporting the Central Valley Burn Relay, Chili Cook-off, and Dinner & Dance. At this year’s Members Dinner, the generosity of the Central Valley shone brightly, raising $3,285 from the silent auction and member donations in support of our 41st Champ Camp in June. However, the giving continued and as of today, the total has reached $4,035.

AARBF is grateful for the generosity of the CVFireCU staff, board, and membership. Your continued support makes an impact for burn survivors across the valley and state. 

We are so excited for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Under-5 event coming up April 11th. On that Saturday morning, burn survivors ages 5 and under, along with their families will enjoy:

• Breakfast with Monterey Firefighters
• Fire station tour
• Parent support group
• Activities for children

Then everyone heads to the world-famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, complimentary tickets from AARBF, to enjoy at their own pace. It is a great connecting experience for families and their kids.

Register here: http://app.campdoc.com/register/aarbf

Register today as spaces are limited.

Mike “Otter” Gonzalez first became aware of the AARBF in 1989. One of his friends at the firehouse, Bryan had been burned in a small airplane crash and treated at Bothin Burn Unit in San Francisco. After his recovery, Bryan and two other Firefighters started a golf tournament that in the second year (1989) named the AARBF as the beneficiary. Mike and his wife, Evie assisted with the tournament each year. In 1997 San Mateo County Chapter President, Mike Leong came to a SSFFD union meeting to thank the union for raising funds for AARBF and at that time told of a need for Champ Camp counselors. Mike and Evie decided they would volunteer to be Champ Camp counselors the next day, and their alter egos, Otter and Mouser were born. Otter said, “You go to camp thinking you want to give back… and you do… but it’s like anything else that you do when you work hard at it, you get back more than what you gave.”

Throughout the years that followed, Otter continued to volunteer for AARBF for different programs and in a variety of ways, including the board of directors!

In the past couple of years, Otter has taken a step back from with his event volunteering, focusing the majority of his energy on the launch and growth of the “Friends of Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation” which is a quasi-Alumni Association for past and present volunteers, champ counselors, staff, prevention partners, fundraising partners, survivors and their families, basically everyone who has been a stakeholder for AARBF these past 55 years. Otter along with his committee members have worked diligently reaching out to past volunteers and reengaging them with AARBF through monthly foundation updates, including social, volunteer, and donor opportunities. If you are interested in joining the Friends of AARBF, 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. 

Please help us thank Otter for his 38 years of service to AARBF and for his continued commitment to our success.

A Champ Camp alum and Stanford Graduate School of Education doctoral student is conducting a study to better understand how college students with physical differences/disabilities (including burn survivors) navigate campus resources and accommodations—and how families and educators support them. Want to share your experience? You can participate by completing a short online survey and/or 45–60 minute interview (Zoom or in person). Participation is completely voluntary and confidential.

Survey link: https://stanforduniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9HnvRYaDCs5SFo2

Questions? Contact Maria Jose at mjme@stanford.edu or (310) 647-7235.

We are excited about the upcoming 41st Champ Camp on June 6th – 13th. We would love to have you be a part of this magical experience. Please do not delay getting your application submitted before the deadlines listed below.

Counselors in Training (CITs) – must complete your registration by March 31, 2026

Campers – parents must complete their child’s registration by May 22, 2026

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

For more information about Champ Camp or concerns about camp conflicting with your child’s school schedule, please contact Erika “Kika” Mendoza at emendoza@aarbf.org.  

The annual Fresno Urban Run is coming up quickly on Sunday, March 29th. Come out and watch as Fire Academy Cadets, Central Valley Fire Departments, Police Agencies, and Elite Runners from across the world come to Fresno to test their skills. The route starts at Chukchansi Stadium and culminates in a 10-story climb up the historic Grand Hotel. These athletes compete for medals and help raise awareness and funds for AARBF.

Visit our website www.givebutter.com/FUR2026 and support AARBF in 3 ways:

1. Create a team of runners and set a donation goal.
2. Join an existing team and run alongside them to help them achieve their goal.
3. Donate on behalf of a team or member to help them reach their goal.

Good luck FCC Fire Academy Class 65, COS Fire Academy Class 21-45, Pointdexter and all the other participants.

Applications are open for the Woody and Louise Reed Bridge to Life Scholarship for the 2026/2027 educational year. 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 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/bffj8qEcspGto69m7

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