Dear Friend,
The past is but the beginning of a beginning…H.G.
Wells
Nearly seventeen years ago, I was burned in a fire
while on duty with the Chicago Fire Department, I
found myself in a hospital burn unit for nine days.
During my rehabilitation, I endured grave pain while
the nurses and doctors treated my burned skin. Along
side me were children who had also been burned and
were enduring the same pain through no fault of their
own. How brave they were, while their bodies were
so frail. I found inspiration in their faces. At that
moment, I realized the challenges and hardships they
would endure everyday.
After this incident, I was introduced to the Illinois
Fire Safety Alliance. The IFSA is a non-profit organization
that hosts camps for child burn survivors ages 8-16.
At camp, the children have the freedom to enjoy horseback
riding, swimming and other games which are everyday
occurrences we take forgranted. I began as a volunteer,
dedicated to promoting and supporting this worthy
cause. I realized however, that I wanted to take a
more active role. I wanted to make sure that every
child burned in a fire had the opportunity to enjoy
this camp.
Eight years ago, I hosted the 1 st Bucks For Burn
Camp Fundraiser. With great help from my softball
team The Posse, my family, friends and Cullinan’s
Stadium Club, we were able to raise $4,000.00. The
second year $6,000.00. We also enlisted the help of
the Diogardi Family and held our first annual candlelight
bowl which raised an additional $7,000.00.
The volunteers were growing. The attendance was more
than we could accommodate, and the support system
was larger than ever expected. For the 3 rd Annual
fundraiser, I realized that we needed a larger venue.
It was suggested that we approach 115 Bourbon Street,
a local establishment with a 2,000 person capacity
and multiple amenities. 115 Bourbon Street considered
this an honor and gave it their utmost attention.
We were their first fundraiser to be held. We held
a volleyball tournament, a bocce ball tournament,
a celebrity dunk tank, a silent auction and many other
fun filled games for the children.attendance was at
its highest, with over 1,500 people and we raised
$54,000.00. The 4 th Annual raised$80,000.00, the
5 th 83,000.00, the 6 th 70,000.00, the 7 th 87,000.00,
the 8 th 100,000.00,the 9 th 65,000.00 and the 10
th 85,000.00 and last year our 11 th 72,000.00. To
date Bucks For Burn Camp has raised $814,000.00 for
the IFSA and other charities.
We expect the 12 th Annual Fundraiser to be even
larger and better than ever. We are asking for your
support. All the proceeds are donated directly to
the IFSA. With the help of local merchants and an
extended support system of family and friends, we
are able to keep our out-of-pocket expenses at a minimum.
The fundraiser will take place on Saturday June 13
th 2009 from noon until 7p.m. at 115 Bourbon Street
3359 West 115 th Street Merrionette Park, IL. 60803.
This year’s fundraiser includes food, drink, live
entertainment, fun and games for the entire family.
At dusk we will have closing ceremonies withThe Emerald
Society pipes and drums and a Grande Finale Firework
Show at dusk.
If you can find it in your schedule to make an appearance
to help promote this year’s event, I feel confident
that this is a beginning to a greater year than past.
Please feel free to contact me at anytime at( 847)
276-7030. Thank-you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Thomas Taff
Executive Director, Bucks For Burn Camp
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