Burn Bulletin

On Saturday, September 27th, AARBF’s Katrina Arthur joined the Sanger Police Department and Sanger Fire for their 2025 National Night Out. Members of the community got a lesson in fire safety and showed off their Stop, Drop & Roll skills. Even the Fresno County Sheriff’s K9 detection dog, Jack, got in on the action. We are thankful for the opportunity to share fire and burn prevention lessons with our partner Cities. 

We are creating a short video to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Champ Camp. If you are a camper or volunteer from the current era or from the early 2000s, 90s, and 80s, we would love to see your pictures and hear your stories. 

Email photos and short memories in a voice note or video (10-15 second sound bite) or text 1-2 lines, along with your Camp Name and year(s) you attended Champ Camp, to Katrina at karthur@aarbf.org by October 24th. 

Example: “My favorite memory of Champ Camp was the dance where our counselors dressed up in wigs and makeup.” – Henny Penny, 2023-2025

The video will premiere at the 15th Annual Dinner & Dance fundraiser in Clovis, CA, on November 22nd. If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, visit https://givebutter.com/c/2025AARBFDinnerDance

Join us at the 1st Annual Beers for Burns Fundraiser in Denver. We have special AARBF volunteers and community members who are hosting this event at the Ratio Beerworks in Denver on October 25th. The night will include Live Music, Hourly Raffles, Food Trucks, and a Silent Auction. All proceeds from the event will support sending youth burn survivors to Champ Camp.

When: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Where: Ratio Brewery, 2030 S Cherokee St., Denver, CO 80223
Doors open: Noon – 6 pm  

If you plan to be in the Denver, CO area, please visit www.givebutter.com/BfB-Denver to get tickets. Or you can support this event by making your tax-deductible donation today.

AARBF offers a monthly virtual workshop on topics found within the What Now? Guide for survivors and family members. These free workshops are open to everyone within our burn community – survivors, family members, donors, first responders, volunteers and supporters.

On October 23rd, the focus will be on Finding Independence. Emily Naughton will share ways to help you, or the survivor in your life, feel more independent with tips on adaptations for cooking, dressing, bathing, and getting around.

Click here to register or reach out to Martha Banks at mbanks@aarbf.org for more information.

Can you believe it is already October? And that means holiday party planning. We are hosting holiday parties in San Francisco, San Jose, Clovis, and Los Angeles. Watch our social media for dates and party registration links coming soon. 

On August 2, Erika Mendoza took a break from her camps and recreation duties to join AARBF volunteers Hydra and Redvine at the Hell of a Half Marathon. Erika and Hydra manned an information booth where they were able to meet participants and connect with local burn survivors. They were super excited to meet up with Redvine as she crossed the finish line. The Hell of a Half Marathon is an annual tradition, and we were happy to be able to spend the day with these dedicated runners. We are very thankful to receive a portion of the event proceeds to support our youngest burn survivors through Champ Camp.

On August 15th, AARBF’s Katrina Arthur had a wonderful night at Goldenrod Elementary in Kerman. Students, Fresno County Sheriffs, and Andy the Armadillo from Texas Roadhouse showed off their Stop, Drop, & Roll skills at the 2025 Kerman National Night Out. AARBF is proud to support our local communities and to share our fire and burn prevention education programs with students and their families. 

Past and present Champ Camp counselors got together to reminisce about their camp experiences on August 16th at Colonel’s home in Morgan Hill. 

The weather was perfect in the low to mid 80’s and no wind.  Amazingly everyone remembered to put on sunscreen and drink plenty of fluids (not all of it water).  The food brought by everyone was outstanding the desserts varied and tasty, and the hot dogs and hamburgers were filling with a variety of salads to add to your plate.  After dinner we sat around the campfire and told of our meaningful memories. Some pretty funny and all of them about how their participation changed other’s lives and in so doing changed their lives. 

The most important part of the day was seeing everyone, hearing about what’s up in their lives, and making new memories with our Champ Camp/AARBF Family.