Starting within a St. John's Mercy Hospital Burn Unit in 1983, a small group of dedicated volunteers began to make positive differences in the lives of burn and smoke inhalation survivors and their families. As a steadfast nonprofit, Burns Recovered, the group's three staffers operate in partnership with health care facilities to provide hope and support to survivors.
"We specifically assist during patients' recoveries, and we promote community education about burn injuries and prevention," says Carrie Warren, Burns Recovered executive director.
Carrie says programming eventually was expanded to continue beyond hospital stays and to serve survivors statewide. She says they formulate individualized and group peer support for burn survivors; provide housing support for families during the hospitalization of burn survivors; host a retreat regarding the special needs of young adult burn survivors, ages 18-25; provide a scholarship fund for burn survivors; and organize a holiday giving program for burn survivors and their families.
One of the group's flagship programs is Midwest Children’s Burn Camp, which provides unique summer camp experiences for children who have survived severe burns and smoke inhalation.
"Burns Recovered is funded entirely through the generous donations of individuals and business entities who believe in our mission. Our camps, retreats, programs, and services would not exist without donations," Carrie says.
The nonprofit is supported by an 18-member volunteer board of directors.
In 2021, Carrie says the Midwest Children’s Burn Camp was accredited by the American Camp Association, the only nationwide accrediting organization for all types and designs of organized camps. In 2022, Burns Recovered was awarded the Judith Schubert Scholarship from the Crisis Prevention Institute, she adds.
Volunteer opportunities with the group include:
- Fill the Boot/Firefighter and EMS partnerships
- Midwest Children’s Burn Camp
- Peer Supporter (burn survivor)
- Special Events (trivia night, picnics, holiday party, bowling)
- Business operations and marketing
- Event planning and coordination
Carrie says donations can be financial or in-kind items.
She says corporate and individual sponsorships are critical to the nonprofit's future programs, particularly sponsors who support the group's annual fundraising special events, such as a trivia night and golf scramble.
Additionally, cabin counselors are recruited each year for the burn camp. Counselors must be at least 21 years of age and counselors-in-training must be at least 18, relays Carrie.
One Burns Recovered event that could be supported is the 29th Annual Firefighter and EMS Sand Volleyball Tournament. It will be held Aug. 27 at 11801 Tesson Ferry Road in St. Louis. Mark Chrun, St. Louis City Fire Department captain, is organizing the tournament. Call Mark at 314.488.9321 to learn about forming a team or getting involved in the event. He says the goal is to raise $10,000 for the nonprofit's burn camp.
314.939.1550
BRSG.org
