Jewelry sale to benefit burn survivors

Windsor residents are holding a jewelry sale and hot dog lunch
on August 27 to raise money for Champ Camp, a therapeutic camp for
young burn survivors.
“What inspired me to do it was when I was twelve years old, I
worked in a hospital, and there was a little boy who had gotten
gasoline thrown on him and set on fire. I worked in a little bitty
town and we were up close and personal to that stuff even at that
age,” said Diana Elsbree, event organizer and jewelry maker.
“I heard about the burn camp from (Windsor Fire) Chief Collier
and I didn’t even know that something like this existed. I decided
to do a fundraiser because they really needed the money,” Elsbree
said.
The money Elsbree raises will go to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn
Foundation, a 40-year-old organization whose mission is to enhance
the quality of life of burn survivors and to promote burn
prevention education. The AARBF has organized and run Champ Camp
every year for the past 26 years—long enough to have former campers
return as counselors.
“Champ Camp is a summer camp for burn survivors ages 5 through
16, to have a place where they can be kids. Burn injuries are some
of the worst injuries that anyone can sustain. It’s something that
lasts a lifetime… Sometimes they will spend months in a hospital
and then go and have another 22 surgeries throughout their life in
order to have fully functional hands, limbs, joints,” said Sarah
Burton, director of programs for AARBF.
“The continued stress of all of those surgeries and doctor
appointments, it can be a huge financial stress to be immersed in
this process. Champ Camp removes them from that,” Burton said.
The cost for each child to attend Champ Camp is $750 for a
one-week session – which includes a full medical staff to cater to
the special needs of the campers. The cost, Burton noted, is
relatively low because the camp is supported each year by an
extensive and dedicated group of volunteers.
“Champ Camp takes the children out of the routine of doctor’s
appointments and surgeries and stress, it gives them an opportunity
to just have fun and be kids. And it gives them an opportunity to
be with other kids who have scars like that, so no one is staring
at them… it’s where they feel most fully accepted and loved for who
they are,” Burton said.
Elsbree hopes that the jewelry sale and lunch will be
successful.
“It’s for the burned children at this camp, and they’re not just
burned, they’re severely burned,” Elsbree said.
She noted that there will be plenty of jewelry styles to entice
even the pickiest jewelry connoisseur.
“We’ll have everything. Pearls and lapis, pearls and turquoise,
all different colors of pearls, pearls and agate,” Elsbree said.
“The rings are all sterling silver rings. They’re all rhodium
plated so they don’t tarnish.”
Elsbree added that she doesn’t make jewelry for money, only for
charitable causes.
“I do this for all charities, so if any other charity wants to
get hold of me to do this, they’re welcome to,” Elsbree said.
Diana Elsbree can be reached at (707) 837-8850. Those interested
in volunteering, donating, or participating in Champ Camp can
contact AARBF through their website at www.aarbf.org.
Lynda Hopkins can be reached at Ly***@hb*****.com.