The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation

www.aarbf.org The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation works closely with Oakland Fire Department to teach burn prevention in the community and to meet the needs of burn injured children and adults through our many programs and services. Many Oakland Fire Fighters donate their time at Champ Camp, our Week Long Summer Camp for burn injured children, as well as at events throughout the year. Oakland Fire is also a huge contributor to the AARBF, raising thousands of dollars each year through grassroots fundraisers. We are honored to be in relationship with the many wonderful men and women of the Oakland Fire Department. Burn Prevention Education: Community Safety Fairs School Education Printed Safety Material supplied to Community and Fire service Survivor Services: Champ Camp Back-to-School Special Events Bridge-To-The-Life Scholarship Fund Young Adult Summit Adult Survivor Family Camp Support Groups Peer Support Workshops and Conferences General Assistance Special Assistance Resources and Referrals   Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation's Burn Survivor Day On September 13th, 150 people, burn survivors and their family members, enjoyed a fun filled day at Camp Arroyo in the beautiful Livermore Hills.  The day was filled with sumo wrestling, face painting, family Olympics, tie dying, great music, a climbing wall and many more fun activities.  All of this couldn't have been possible without the generosity of our volunteers, the Taylor Family Foundation, the Oakland Sports Association, the International Association of Firefighters Local 55, and of course, Random Acts.  Random Acts always comes forward when asked to help the AARBF.  This time Random Acts stepped in to help supply the delicious BBQ, musical entertainment and fun games for all to enjoy. One of the goals of the burn foundation is to help burn-injured children integrate into society and develop self-esteem.  This can be accomplished in part by therapy and social services but the burn foundation incorporates recreational therapy as well.  Social events like Burn Survivor Day can introduce the survivors into positive and new environments and give them new challenges.  This can create dramatic changes in the way they feel about themselves and see themselves in the world.