We are very grateful to Job’s Daughters for their support of AARBF and Champ Camp. AARBF’s Daniel Chacon attended the Grand Bethel Meeting in Ontario, CA as a guest of Eric Langdon, Associate Grand Guardian. While there, Daniel got to see first-hand the “Little Champ” stuffed Dalmatians available for a $20 donation as part of Job’s Daughters year-long initiative to raise funds for Champ Camp 2024. The event in Ontario was just one of the various fundraisers they are holding this year.

For many years fire departments and burn organizations have been using a variety of fire safety messages for their public outreach efforts. However, the question has arisen as to whether these messages have been evaluated for both accuracy and effectiveness. It is now more critical than ever to ensure that when we do reach out to the public that we are maximizing our ability to affect behavioral change with these messages – we cannot waste the opportunities that we have.

To accomplish this, we assembled a team of Subject Matter Experts to develop a methodology for evaluating any fire safety message that can be scaled and distributed throughout the fire and burn safety community and departments. Funding for this project was awarded in 2021 by FEMA through a two-year grant.

As we complete the final steps to fully launch the IMPAC-Tool, we want to acknowledge and thank our subject matter experts: Cliff Sheckter, MD, Assistant Professor, Stanford University, Coral Florian, Research Assistant, California State University Northridge, Daniel Chacon, AARBF Executive Director, Ed Comeau, Project Manager, Eileen McDonald, Research Scientist, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health, Ellie Kazemi, Research Scientist with California State University Northridge, Karla Klas, RN, Managing Director Injury/Violence Prevention and Community Outreach, University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, Linda Griffin, Professor, University of Massachusetts College of Education, Rebecca Coffey, RN, Burn Program Manager, Parkland Health, Tim Young, Executive Vice President, L.C. Williams and Associates, Communications, and Torine Creppy, Executive Director, Safekids Worldwide

To learn more about the IMPAC-Tool, please visit our website at https://www.aarbf.org/impac-tool/

AARBF’s Andrew Mersmann loves teaming up with AARP for their Virtual DIY HomeFit workshops. This partnership allows us to reach older adults who are looking to age safely at home and our burn prevention education is essential to help them stay safe from fire and burns.

On Friday, July 21st, Andrew participated in a HomeFit workshop, using components of AARBF’s SPARC program. He enjoyed educating and answering questions from the forty-seven attendees.

Click here to learn more about SPARC and watch our social media for more workshop opportunities.

On July 28th – 30th, we took twenty-seven young burn survivors on a very special weekend in the great outdoors. The Outdoor Trip is a favorite for both the campers and volunteers. The kids got to enjoy many activities such as rock climbing, and water games in Lake Alpine, including fishing. This year our campers got a record of 22 fish!

We truly appreciate the supporters who make this trip a success. Thank you to Chapel in the Pines for a great place to sleep for the weekend, Calaveras County Search and Rescue for keeping our kids safe during rock climbing, Ebbett’s Pass Fire Fighters Association for feeding us delicious meals, Sierra Nevada Adventure Company for all of the fun toys we were able to play with on Lake Alpine, Arnold’s Angels for the constant love and support of our kids and foundation, Cedar and Yukon for volunteering their time and boat for fishing, and our generous donors who support this event year after year. Last, but not least, our incredible lead volunteer Dash, who made the magic happen!

To see all the fun, check out the Reels section of our Instagram!

On Sunday, July 30th, we were excited to see the return of the annual Alameda Pancake Breakfast. In addition to breakfast, guests were able to get a massage from Baby Lee (@themassageclinic.ca) who was a former Champ Camp camper.

While at the event, AARBF’s Daniel Chacon gave lessons on how to Stop, Drop and Roll as well as distributed fire and burn prevention materials and sunblock to about 200 people.

We greatly appreciate the Alameda Firefighters, Local 689 for including us and Baby Lee for providing additional support to AARBF.

The Northern California Fire Prevention Officers are hosting their 13th Annual Golf Tournament on Friday, September 22nd. The tournament will take place at a new location this year, Paradise Valley Golf Course in Fairfield. Play a great round of golf while supporting AARBF’s prevention programming!

Register today at: https://n.firepreventionofficers.org/index.php/forms/golf-tournament/golf-tournament-registration

For those living in Southern California, the SoCal Golf Tournament is returning for its 40th year on Tuesday, October 3, 2023! The golf tournament will be held at the Black Gold Country Club, 1 Black Gold Dr, Yorba Linda, CA.

The cost is $220 per golfer, this includes golf, cart, dinner, tee gift, and more. If you are unable to make it for a fun day of golf, you can still join us for dinner at 5:00 PM.

Visit the 40th Annual Golf Tournament page for sponsorship and registration information: https://aarbf.accelraising.com/

In July, AARBF opened the registration for The Getaway Family Camp, which is held over the Labor Day weekend, September 2nd – 4th. The Getaway is open to burn survivors and their families (adult survivors with their spouses and children, child burn survivors with their parents and siblings…all are welcome!) Focus on togetherness and connect with other families through fun and camaraderie, but do not delay, this year’s registration closes August 25th.

Sign up today at http://app.campdoc.com/register/aarbf, select “Register for a New Session” then select “Getaway Family Camp.”

The 13th Annual AARBF’s Fundraiser Dinner (formerly AARBF’ Dinner & Dance), is right around the corner. Due to popular demand, we have moved up the date of this event to Saturday, September 23rd. Our location has not changed. It will be held at the Clovis Rodeo Grounds and doors open at 5:00 PM.

The AARBF’s Fundraiser Dinner is a fantastic night filled with silent, live and dessert auctions, a cash bar, catered dinner, with a lot of friends all coming together to support the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation and Champ Camp.

As in the past two years, this event is expected to sell out so make sure you buy your tickets today. Click here to purchase your tickets, table or sponsorship.

If you have questions regarding the event, please reach out to McKenzie “Bubbles” Dern at mdern@aarbf.org.

Please visit our Events Calendar for support groups available in August or September. Or, contact us at info@aarbf.org for more information.

September 2-4: Getaway Family Camp

September 22: NorCal FPO Golf Tournament

September 23: AARBF’s Fundraiser Dinner in Clovis

October 3: SoCal Golf Tournament