Jeanne Terwilliger

Champ Camp 2026 planning officially began at our annual planning weekend, January 17th-19th. Our dedicated program staff gathered in Pismo, CA to start creating another unforgettable week for our burn survivors ages 5 to 17 years. Through team building, thoughtful discussions, and lots of theme brainstorming, we are moving forward into Champ Camp’s 41st year. This year’s theme is LEGENDS and we cannot wait to bring everyone together this summer. Eligible campers and CITs are encouraged to please register as soon as possible on our camper website. Champ Camp will take place June 6th to 13th and we are so excited to welcome both new and returning campers for an unforgettable week. We appreciate our dedicated volunteers for coming together for such a productive weekend, thank you. It was incredible to see everyone’s passion for Champ Camp and the heart they bring to making this experience so special.    

For the 7th year in a row, Fire Academy Cadets, Central Valley Fire Departments, Police Agencies, and Elite Runners from across the world come to Fresno to test their skills at the Fresno Urban Run. On March 29th, starting at Chukchansi Stadium and culminating 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.

This month, we are honored to recognize Peter “Chop Suey” Reynaga and the many ways he continues to support the AARBF community. After sustaining burns at the age of 13, Peter quickly became involved with AARBF’s programs and has remained an active part of the burn survivor community ever since. 

Peter began volunteering with AARBF in 2014, as a Champ Camp counselor and has since taken on many roles within the organization. From supporting overnight weekend events to shuttling participants to and from activities, Peter is always willing to step in and help wherever needed. He is someone we can consistently depend on and who truly goes the extra mile. 

In addition to volunteering, Peter actively participates in support groups and retreats not only as a volunteer but also as a burn survivor. He balances many roles in his life as a son, brother, friend, and volunteer and continues to show up with so much dedication and heart. 

We appreciate you so incredibly much, Chop. Thank you for over 12 years of continued commitment as a volunteer to AARBF and the Burn Community. 

In January, applications opened 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.

This year’s Women’s Empowerment Weekend is coming to Southern California. Join us March 20th-23rd at the Pali Mountain Retreat in Running Springs, CA. The weekend event is open to women burn survivors ages 21+.

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

If you have any questions, please reach out to Erika “Kika” Mendoza at emendoza@aarbf.org.

Time has a way of flying by and June will be here before you know it. Do not delay getting your Champ Camp application submitted before the deadlines listed below. We hope to see you at Wonder Valley in Sanger for this year’s camp, June 6th – 13th.

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.  

Mark Your Calendar – The annual Torrance Firefighter’s Spaghetti Dinner & Bake Sale is coming up quickly on March 7th. Proceeds of this event benefit AARBF and Champ Camp. We are so grateful for the tremendous support of the Torrance Firefighters Association, Local 1138. We hope to see you there.

Central California

On December 6th, the Central Valley came together for our annual Holiday Party at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds in Clovis, CA. We had around 160 people in attendance which included burn survivors, family members, and volunteers who enjoyed a day filled with holiday crafts, cookie decorating, pictures with Santa, presents and great company. The energy that filled the room is a wonderful reminder of the strength and connection our community shares. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the day so special.

AARBF would also like to thank all of our Central Valley Toy Drive sponsors for helping to make the AARBF Holiday Party a success. For the 3rd year, the Central Valley Firefighters Credit Union, Leon S Peter Burn Unit at CRMC, FCC Fire Academy Class 64, and the Sierra High School CSF collected toys for Santa to hand out this past Saturday. Your dedication to supporting the Central Valley burn community brings holiday joy to many. We appreciate your support. 

Southern California

December 7th was one for the books.

We celebrated the holiday season at theannual Southern California Holiday Party, and it was an unforgettable day. Everyone enjoyed visiting with one another, creating festive holiday crafts, snapping photos with Santa, and even interacting with several Avengers who stopped by to spread some cheer.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers for making the day so special for the 25 burn survivor families in attendance. Your dedication and kindness truly shine.

We greatly appreciate the support of the Children’s Burn Foundation for their generous toy donation that helped make the event even more magical. 

Northern California

The holiday celebrations continued into the next weekend, December 13th and 14th, with parties taking place in San Jose and San Francisco. At the UCSF-Hyde (St Francis Hospital) on the 13th, we partnered with burn unit and hospital staff to welcome 85 guests. In San Jose, we were privileged to work with the San Jose Firefighters Burn Foundation where we experienced an evening get-together welcoming 28 families.

Thank you to our holiday party partners and fabulous volunteers for creating holiday fun for our burn survivors and their families.

On Saturday, Dec 6th, AARBF’s Director, Katrina Arthur; Care Manager, Michael Knopf; and Board President, Dave Miller, along with volunteer Knuckles and burn survivor Leif, attended the Camp Ocean Pines Legacy dinner. We were honored to be recognized as one of the 2025 Legacy Champions. In accepting, Michael shared the strong legacy our partnership with Camp Ocean Pines has had on not only him but also on survivors who attend our Young Adult Summit and Adult Retreat, helping build strong life skills, community bonds, and a sense of “Camp Magic” that can be found between the pines and shore of Camp Ocean Pines.