Firefighters’ Foundation writes big check to burn survivor camp

CEDAR RAPIDS - Up to 40 Iowa kids will attend the Miracle Burn Camp next month in East Lake Okoboji, and the Cedar Rapids Firefighters' Foundation is picking up most of the tab.

Members of the foundation presented a check Wednesday for $31,000 to the St. Florian Fire and Burn Foundation, a co-sponsor with the University of Iowa Burn Treatment Center, of the weeklong Miracle Burn Camp. The donation will allow roughly 40 campers attend free of charge.

'You're going to be putting the kids this next year through camp and that's amazing,” said Andy Sheehan, a Bettendorf firefighter and camp board member.

Nancy Johnson, a St. Florian board member, said the organization was founded in Sioux City in 1993. In 1995, it hosted the first Miracle Burn Camp, a one-day event. It has since grown into a weeklong event at Camp Foster that features water activities, horseback riding, archery and other camp events for burn survivors ages 8 through 18 from Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The camp, which is free because of donors like the firefighters' foundation and others, allows participants to share experiences, hopes and frustrations, Johnson said.

'It is a family,” she said.

Cedar Rapids firefighters raised money throughout the year and at their biggest fundraising event, the Fire Bowl. Firefighter Sean Beard, president of the firefighters' foundation, said the seven-on-seven flag football tournament features firefighters, police officers and medical personnel.

Among this year's campers is Alivea Carnahan, a 16-year-old from Amana. This will be her fourth year attending camp. While Alivea said her community and school have been supportive, she said the camp is a place that leaves her with renewed confidence.

'Once you experience that week, it changes your life forever,” she said. 'It's one of the best experiences you can have.”