|
BURN
CAMP
For
about three dozen or so youngsters, all of whom have at one time
or another suffered severe burn injuries, summer is the time when,
at least for one fufilled week, they can put their injuries and
their scars (both physical and emotional) aside for awhile as they
gather at The Connecticut Burns Care Foundation's Camp in the
Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts. The camp was founded
by Arthur C. Luf, a retired Bridgeport firefighter, and
established in 1991. It shares facilities with YMCA's Camp Hi Rock
near Great Barrington, nearly one hundred and eighty miles
northeast of New York City.
The
New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation has sent
youngsters ranging in age from eight to eighteen to this camp from
the very beginning. This year was no different. Located this
year in Union, Connecticut, the Foundation provided forty-three
youngsters. The kids we send are always from New York City
and surrounding communities and most had their burn injuries
treated at the Burn Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Jim
Fitzgerald (Lt. Ret. of Lad 79, and a Foundation Director) has
volunteered his services for many years as a counselor at the burn
camp. Jim has been joined by several nurses and therapists
from the Burn Center and as many as ten firefighters from
Connecticut departments who also contribute their time and energy.
The only compensation they recieve is the satisfaction they
dervice from bringing some happiness to these youngsters.
We
can't think of a better way to continue to reach out to burn
victims. If you could witness the joy these youngsters
demonstrate at being with others who share their plight, at being
able to simply have some fun for a change, we're sure you'd agree
that our support for these youngsters is a most worthwhile
project. If you'd like to volunteer your services as a
counselor at the Burn Camp next year, please call the Foundation
at 1-718-379-1900 and we will get back to you.
Kids
met with Ladder 16 before heading to camp.
Click
to Read Article By New York Daily News Writer
Denis
Hamil: Burn Camp Lets Burned Kids Be Kids
Published
Sunday Feb 21st, 1999
|
