Once a child touches a hot stove, as the cliché goes – he/she learns their lesson – stay away from a hot stove. This cliché does not take into account the pain and suffering from burns, which should not be part of the learning process, according to The People’s Burn Foundation, teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Fire Prevention Week 2009 – October 4-10.

Separate dedicated websites are under development over the next several months for the Foundation's popular national online firefighter training and education series -- To Hell and Back -- and College Fire Survival program, both made possible through a restricted federal grant from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. While under development, links to www.PBFEducation.org/ToHellandBack permits firefighters to log onto existing programs. The link to www.igot2kno.org provides similar opportunities for college students. Both links are located under Education & Training on the main page of our website or by clicking the flash panels Firefighter Training or College Fire Survival, which rotate on the main page. We look forward to providing periodical updates on progress to develop these two websites.

The Foundation’s annual Adult Burn Survivor Retreat will be conducted October 16-18 at the Agape Lodge on the grounds of Bradford Woods in Martinsville, IN -- www.indiana.edu/~bradwood/ The retreat provides adult burn survivors an outstanding weekend of discovery, fun, relaxation, healing and hope. Burn survivors interested in attending this weekend of togetherness may contact Lora Hays, the Foundation’s Adult, Child & Family Counselor (317-626-8813, lhays@peoplesburnfoundation.org). More details are provided by downloading the flyer below.

Companies, fire departments, restaurants, schools, places of worship, faith-based youth groups, service clubs, youth organizations, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troups, neighborhood associations, motorcycle and recreational clubs, sports teams, fraternities/sororities and other organizations are encouraged to support The People's Burn Foundation by sponsoring and conducting events. Bowl-a-thons, walks, runs, cycling, skating and dance marathons, collection drives, motorcycle rallies and other creative ideas are welcome to provide charitable support for people affected by fire devastation and burn injuries. Interested sponsors may download and submit the Fundraising Request Form below or contact: Jim Shaffer, Executive Director (317-803-2876, Ext. 203 or jshaffer@peoplesburnfoundation.org) - or - Cindy Allison, Director of Events, Development & Camp (317-803-2876, Ext. 201 or callison@peoplesburnfoundation.org)

As with most nonprofits, the Foundation is working hard to sustain itself during this challenging time in our economy. We are certainly thankful for the corporations and individuals who believe in our crusade to help our fellow citizens affected by fire devastation and burn injuries. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to the Foundation through our new “JustGive.org” link on the right side of the banner at the top of this page or simply print off a copy of our Membership Partner Form below to mail in your contribution. Thank you very much for helping the Foundation during this challenging time, where fire devastation and burn injuries do not rest.

A new online feature is now available for donors interested in supporting the Foundation. The JustGive.org link on the right side of the top banner provides a convenient way to help people affected by fire devastation and burn injury. Several alternatives were considered before determining JustGive.org provides an easy way for donors to support the Foundation’s programs and services with a very minimal administrative processing fee, according to Jim Shaffer, Executive Director. The Foundation thanks all previous, current and future donors!

The Board of Directors for The People’s Burn Foundation recently approved recommendations for new mission and vision statements and moving forward on due diligence to create a family support center for those affected by fire devastation and burn injuries, according to Jim Shaffer, Executive Director. The Foundation also launched its new website today at www.peoplesburnfoundation.org, Shaffer noted. The Foundation’s new Mission Statement – “Healing Lives One Brave Heart at a Time.” The new Vision Statement – “To foster, support and provide programs for people affected by fire devastation and burn injuries in Indiana; and to promote local and national education, training and prevention programs for families, firefighters and college students.” “ All of these actions reflect the Board’s desire and staff recommendations to refocus on The Foundation’s core values, programs and services to support people in Indiana who face life-changing experiences, while continuing to promote local and national education, training and prevention programs,” said Tony Walker, Board President. “ The Foundation is excited about developing a new community strategic initiative to perform aggressive due diligence to create a family support center,” Shaffer said. “We believe the community will rally around the concept to provide temporary housing and expand services for families affected by fire devastation or who have a family member(s) as patients in area hospital burn units,” Shaffer said. The new website was developed in partnership with Halogen Designs --- www.halogendesigns.com – an Indianapolis web and graphics design company. “The Foundation’s new branding strategy and initiatives required a fresh, creative website to provide better balance with its national ‘To Hell and Back’ firefighter training series and College Fire Survival program funded by restricted grants from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security,” Shaffer noted.