“In 1994 my dad camp back from his first year at camp and said ‘you would love this and you have to go!’ I signed up in 1995 and have been going to Camp I Am Me ever since. It changed my life and even changed my daughters’ lives”
My previous employer volunteers every year to get the campground ready for the campers by fixing, painting, and installing things. I wanted to get involved because I have fundraised and done things behind the scenes, but always wanted to have experiences with the actual kids. I grew up volunteering with my local Lions Club and I love the interaction, making people smile, and being part of the community.
I started in the fire and security industry 20 years ago and I remember someone suggesting that we attend this camp as a way to give back but also meet with local key people in the fire industry. I remember the first year driving home from camp exhausted but also with this feeling of such accomplishment that we were able to help those who needed it. I admit to being hooked from that day forward.
After attending my first camp, I never looked back and wanted nothing more than to make the IFSA family a part of my life. As a survivor, it’s a personal matter to give back and help other survivors, which is why I continue to stay connected to the IFSA to this day and help where I can.
Camp is a two-way street – the campers get something out of it and volunteers do too. For the kids, they get to be in an environment where they can be themselves and not just the kid that has burn scars. They are just regular kids that were delt a bad hand. What volunteers get out of the program is the joy of providing this environment for these amazing kids. One thing that I personally noticed about this is that I no longer notice people that might look “different” from others. I see the person, not the difference.
There are roles volunteering at camp, fundraising, helping with legislation, identifying burn survivors, and other projects. It takes a volunteer army to achieve the goals of the organization. If you believe in preventing burns and supporting survivors, I encourage people to call the office and look for opportunities to help. It can be very rewarding.
I was first introduced to the IFSA during the VW Credit, Inc. Charity Golf Outing about 9 years ago. The IFSA is one of the organizations we support and heard them speak during the dinner portion of the event. A short video was played of the campers having fun and I was amazed at these brave kids that have persevered through so much pain in their healing process…
I first heard about the IFSA at a public education conference I was attending in Galena. We were being told about this exciting new idea of a week-long camp for children that had survived their burn injuries. The idea sounded intriguing, though I admit, I was a little hesitant. How would I react? Would I cry? I had been a firefighter/paramedic for 10 years and I recalled part of my training involved working a shift at the burn unit…
Early on I attended Visitors Day and the fire truck parade. It’s so exciting and fulfilling to allow the campers to ride on the trucks during the parade, having a positive interaction, and to donate time. Once I witnessed the positive effect the IFSA had on these young people’s lives, I wanted to make sure to stay involved…