Grant Sends 45 Kids to Champ Camp

Forty-five kids will go to Champ Camp this year thanks to a $34,200 grant from Site-SoCal. Site-SoCal is the Southern California group of Society of Incentive and Travel Executives. Their mission is to develop the highest level of networking, education, communication and community outreach to professionals in the incentive travel, meetings and motivation industry.

Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF) volunteer Marcelle McCullough is a member of Site-SoCal, and encouraged AARBF to apply for the grant. She has helped AARBF raise funds through many events including golf tournaments, was a Champ Camp counselor in 2006 and 2007, and will be volunteering again this year.

“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to many Site-SoCal members about what impresses me about the AARBF, but the staff and volunteers impressed the grant selection panel,” she said.

After passing the first hurdle of having their application for the grant accepted, AARBF sent volunteer and L.A. County Fire Inspector Dan Gaytan, survivor and Champ Camp Counselor-in-Training Angel Castelan, Executive Director Scott Vandrick, Associate Executive Director Renée Croteau, and Prevention Manager Johanna Wilkie to an interview with five Site-SoCal members. The group made an impressive, compelling presentation to the selection panel.

Community Outreach Director Jennifer Shafer, said “We selected Champ Camp for the grant as our money will go to better the lives of deserving children.”

Site-SoCal’s approximately 160 members raise funds at their annual holiday event of a silent and live auction and a golf tournament. As Site-SoCal wants the grant to benefit people in their geographic area, the money will send burn survivors from Southern California to Champ Camp.

“We have such gratitude for Site-SoCal’s generous donation,” said Marcelle. “I would encourage people to think about ways to get other people involved in community building or giving as it applies in their everyday lives. People want to give back and if you make it easy for them, expose them to an opportunity, they’ll love to do it.”

Also in this issue:
AARBF Launches Its Largest Prevention Campaign
Winter Weekend Builds Bonds