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Posts Tagged Illinois Burn Camp

Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Camp for burn victims (more)

Jul 22

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From the Huntley FPD Facebook page:

We are honored to have participated in “Camp I am Me” virtual parade. Over 50 fire agencies submitted video’s so that we could continue to support our campers and let them know that we miss seeing them this year. Since 1991, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance has been providing this safe, non-judgmental environment for children to have the opportunity to build their self-esteem as they enjoy the varied activities that make up their camp experience.

Camp “I Am Me”provides the setting for child burn survivors to share their common experiences while being able to play and not feel self-conscious about their scars. The benefits to the campers — physical, psychological, and emotional — have been enough to inspire a long list of eager volunteers and contributors.

 

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Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Camp for burn victims

May 28

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Fire Service friends,
 
As you are aware, each year the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) hosts a weeklong camp for children that are survivors of burn injuries – Camp “I Am Me.” No other IFSA program has received greater attention from the fire service, medical community, general public, and media then burn camp. Sadly, this year’s camp has been cancelled due to the pandemic, but we will have a virtual event the week of July 19th. Work is in full swing with more than 20 different sessions already planned!
 
We need your assistance! Every year at camp, many departments send apparatus to participate in a parade where campers ride in the vehicles with sirens going while waving to a crowd of onlookers. As part of this year’s camp we want to create a video that will duplicate the experience for campers. Our hope is to have fire departments create a video of your personal message to the camp with sirens and horns. 
 
Please send your video here by Wednesday June 17th. Make sure you identify your department, village, or fire district name in the file name.
 
We hope that the campers can count on your support. With camp scheduled for mid-July, we’d like to receive all submissions as soon as possible to start editing the video. Thank you for whatever support or assistance you can offer!
 
With grateful appreciation,
 
Philip Zaleski
Executive Director
Illinois Fire Safety Alliance
Link to Virtual Camp site – www.ifsa.org/virtual-camp
Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) camp for children that are survivors of burn injuries – Camp “I Am Me"

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Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Camp for burn victims

Oct 20

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Excerpts from the pantograph.com:

The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance has announced the dates for next year’s Camp “I Am Me!” The camp will represent the 30th anniversary of Illinois’ camp for young burn survivors, ages 8 to 16, who have experienced a burn requiring outpatient treatment or hospitalization.

Through the generosity of donors, supporters, sponsors, and volunteers, the IFSA continues to offer this unique, week-long experience at no cost to campers. Everything is covered, including lodging, meals, activities, and transportation to and from the camp, which is held at the YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside.

Next year’s Camp “I Am Me” will be June 14-20 with the fire apparatus parade, appreciation day and fun fair on June 17.

No other IFSA program has received greater attention from the fire service, medical community, general public, and the media then Camp “I Am Me.” It provides the setting for child burn survivors to share their common experiences while being able to play and not feel self-conscious about their scars. The benefits to the campers – physical, psychological, and emotional – have been enough to inspire a long list of eager volunteers and contributors.

Camp “I Am Me” was the first camp (for burn survivors) to become accredited in the United States through the American Camp Association (ACA). In order to maintain this recognition, the IFSA continues to meet industry-accepted and government-recognized standards to ensure the proper care and safety of all campers.

For more information about the camp, go to www.lFSA.org/programs/camp.

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Hinsdale FD baseball tournament fundraiser

Sep 9

Posted by Admin in Fire Department News | 2 Comments

Excerpts from theChicagoTribune.com:

Despite losing for the fifth year in a row, Hinsdale firefighters are proud of the results in a softball tournament Sunday. The Hinsdale Police Department’s team beat the fire department’s team 13-2 in the opener of the Big’s Annual Bare Knuckle Softball Tournament.

Despite the team’s loss, the tournament, hosted by the Hinsdale Fire Department, raised more than $10,000 for local charities.

The event honors the late Deputy Fire Chief Mark Johnson, nicknamed “Big,” who died on duty in September 2010. It includes the tournament, which consisted of nine games between teams from Clarendon Hills, La Grange Park, Western Springs, and Maywood fire departments, the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, the Pleasantview Fire Protection District, and the Hinsdale public services department, plus raffles and children’s activities.

The La Grange Park Fire Department team won all three of its games, against the Hinsdale police officers, the Western Spring firefighters and, finally, the team from Lisle-Woodridge, to take the championship.

“The heat and humidity didn’t keep spectators away,” Tullis said. “Crowds from all over came to show their support throughout the day. Hinsdale firefighters cooked hot dogs and Juan Marin, who works for the Hinsdale’s public services department, and his family donated their time to cook tacos for everyone in attendance. All the food and drinks were free.”

The Johnson family, several local businesses and firefighters donated raffle prizes, including a ride to school in a Hinsdale fire truck.

In the five years the event has taken place, Tullis said it has raised more than $60,000 for the Illinois Burn Camp and Hinsdale nonprofit organizations, including Wellness House, Safety Village and the HCS Family Services’ food pantry.

“The event is a success … because of the tireless efforts of Hinsdale firefighter/paramedic Jim Nichols,” who plans, organizes and runs it every year on his own time, Tullis said.

If there were a most valuable player award, candidates would include Nichols, Ashley Mahn of the La Grange Park Fire Department team, who was the only woman in the tournament, and Sam Johnson, the grandson of the tournament’s namesake, “who spent eight hours running around, laughing, smiling and jumping in puddles,” Tullis said.

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