The Friends of Camp I Am Me Recognition Reception celebrates just some of the many volunteers and donors who make a lasting impact on the mission of Camp I Am Me, Illinois’ support network for burn survivors and their families. Held on March 5th in Woodridge, the event honored the individuals, organizations, and partners whose generosity and service strengthen programs that provide physical, emotional, and community support to survivors across the state and beyond.
The evening highlighted 2025 Diamond Level Donors and Above & Beyond Volunteer Award recipients, recognizing exceptional commitment to burn survivor support, fire safety advocacy, and volunteerism.
Diamond Level Donor Recognition
North Shore Exchange – A nonprofit luxury resale shop that has donated 100% of its profits to charity, granting $5 million since 2013. Their support has been especially meaningful to Camp I Am Me, including a recent $10,000 grant supporting the Summer Camp program, bringing their total contributions to $65,000 since 2018.
Norwood Park Fire Protection District – Through passionate participation in the Boot Day for Burn Survivors campaign, Norwood Park firefighters continue to show remarkable community commitment. The department raised over $10,600 in 2025, bringing their total support since 2016 to more than $116,000.
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center – In 2025, staff at this Rockford hospital hosted their first Burn Awareness Week fundraiser, organizing sponsorships, raffles, and a community celebration that raised over $26,000 to support burn survivors and Camp I Am Me programs.
Pleasantview Fire Protection District – Known for turning their annual holiday party into a charitable fundraiser, Pleasantview and community partners raised over $13,000 in 2025, part of more than $100,000 donated over the past decade to charitable causes.
Sprinkler Fitters Local 281 – Through their annual “Sprink Links” golf outing, this long-time partner continues to champion burn survivor support. Their $20,000 donation in 2025 helped increase their cumulative support to over $134,000 since 2016.
Terrence Hoyle Memorial Golf Outing – Organized by volunteers and through the support of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IL Ch.), this annual outing honors Terrence Hoyle’s legacy while supporting burn survivors. Over the past 11 years, the event has raised more than $105,000, including $10,000 last year.
The Lutzow Family & West Dundee Firefighters Association – In honor of firefighter Tom Lutzow’s legacy and passion for burn survivor support, the Lutzow family and association presented an extraordinary $46,200 gift, continuing a tradition of giving that began with annual fundraisers in his memory.
Bucks for Burn Camp & Chicago Fire Department – Led by longtime advocate Tom Taff, these partners have supported Camp I Am Me for nearly three decades. In 2025 alone, Boot Day fundraising and the Bucks softball tournament raised $91,000, contributing to nearly $2.4 million raised since 1998.
Above & Beyond Volunteer Awards
Team Awards
Canine Therapy Corps – For more than 20 years, therapy dog teams have joined campers at summer camp, creating meaningful emotional connections and providing comfort through the human–animal bond.
Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee – Recognized for going beyond sponsorship by hosting the first overnight Family Day program, supporting additional activities, and volunteering at summer camp and fundraising events.
Individual Awards
Janean Dyson – A burn survivor who became a dedicated peer-support volunteer and advocate, helping fellow survivors while promoting residential fire sprinkler awareness through national prevention efforts.
Agatha Green – A driving force behind the annual Golf Classic fundraiser, securing raffle donations, assisting with planning and logistics, and supporting the event from setup to cleanup.
Trudy Maatta – A fire inspection professional and advocate for prevention who also volunteers at Summer Camp events, helping create engaging activities and community connections for young survivors.
Nate Rice – Recognized for organizing a memorable Family Day climbing event in Peoria and strengthening partnerships with fire departments that support Camp I Am Me programs.
The Friends of Camp I Am Me Recognition Reception serves as a powerful reminder that organization’s impact is built on partnership and generosity. From fire service professionals and healthcare providers to nonprofit leaders, families, and individual volunteers, these honorees demonstrate how collective dedication can help burn survivors heal, grow, and rediscover confidence through community.
To view photographs from this heartwarming event, please click here.