INDIANAPOLIS, IN – State Farm Insurance will partner with Hank-FM and B105.7 to collect donations for The People’s Burn Foundation. State Farm agents and employees and Foundation volunteers will also be available to wrap gifts at Castleton Square Mall for a cash donation on the following dates: Friday, December 4 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, December 6 from noon to 5:00 p.m. State Farm Insurance agents along with B105.7 will again be available on December 12 at the Arni’s Restaurant located at 4705 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis, and again with Hank FM December 19 at the Arni’s Restaurant located at 1691 Curry Road, Greenwood, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Donations will be collected for the Foundation’s “Extinguish the Need” program, which assists families who have been devastated by residential fire by providing them with basic household and personal needs. Items that will be collected are: • Gently used or new pots and pans, bakeware • Gently used or new bath towels, washcloths • Unbreakable dinnerware, glasses, silverware • New Pillows, blankets • Personal toiletries such as bath soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste • Air Mattresses • Visa Gift cards • Cash donations “The Foundation is extremely excited and grateful to State Farm Insurance for the opportunity to raise much needed funds in this difficult economic climate, as well as support by Hank-FM, B105.7, and Arni’s Restaurant,” said Jim Shaffer, Executive Director of the Foundation. “With the cold weather approaching, we know the number of house fires increase as alternative methods of heating are used so this could not come at a better time.”

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The People’s Burn Foundation always encourages responsible common sense fire and burn safety, but particularly as the winter and holidays approach to save lives, prevent burn injuries, and avoid fire devastation, according to Jim Shaffer, Executive Director. “This time of year with colder temperatures and the holidays approaching there is inevitable higher risk for fires, burn injuries, property damage and even deaths,” Shaffer said. “The People’s Burn Foundation encourages people to practice common sense fire and burn safety to avoid becoming victims to life-changing circumstances.” These basic safety practices will help save lives, prevent burn injuries and avoid property damage: SPACE HEATERS: Keep children away; allow area at least three feet around heater free from curtains, blankets or paper (anything flammable); never leave unattended. CANDLES: Use artificial candles; never leave wick-lighted candles unattended; keep children away; avoid anything flammable near or above; extinguish before leaving room or home or going to bed. SMOKE ALARMS: Place minimum of one unit per floor in hallway; check batteries monthly; replace batteries annually; replace entire unit every few years. ELECTRICAL CORDS: Never use frayed, broken or crimped cords and remove if under rugs or furniture. Use only special outside cords for spotlight, tree and house light decorations. FIREPLACES: Check gas fireplace annually; make sure chimney flew is open; keep children away; clear flammable items near fireplace; never leave unattended; use fireplace screen; make sure fire is extinguished before leaving home or going to bed. COOKING: Keep children at least three feet away from cooking areas. Keep hot liquids and cooking appliances away from counter and table edges; smother grease fire and DO NOT use water to extinguish. MICROWAVES: Keep at shoulder-level or below and supervise children using. BATH & SHOWER WATER: Supervise children and test water temperature before allowing child in tub or shower. HOT WATER HEATERS: Set to 120 degrees or less and keep flammable items away from pilot light.

The People’s Burn Foundation thanks Dr. Rajiv Sood, Medical Director; Kari Gabehart, Clinical Nurse, Burn Services; and the staff at the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Wishard Health Services in Indianapolis for the generous donation of supplies for our Extinguish the Need (ETN). ETN helps families devastated by residential fire by providing basic household necessities to begin rebuilding their lives. The staff at the Burn Center conducted a drive during October and collected six boxes of towels, bedding, cleaning supplies, toiletries, dishes and more. The doctors, nurses and staff at the Burn Center are very special people who unselfishly give of themselves every day to help others. The Foundation appreciates their passion, service, dedication and our good friendship. To learn more about Wishard Health Services and the Fairbanks Burn Center, visit www.wishard.edu or download the PDF below. If your company or organization is interested in conducting a similar drive, call 317-803-2876, Ext. 206.

The People’s Burn Foundation (www.PeoplesBurnFoundation.org) and Creative Street Media Group (www.CreativeStreet.com) announced today they have signed an agreement to develop online education tools as a result of a federal grant recently awarded to the Foundation by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security. The agreement will focus on interactive design, development and overall enhancement of the Foundation’s nationally acclaimed “To Hell and Back” online firefighter training and education series; and its College Fire Survival program for college and university students, “IGot2Kno.” The People’s Burn Foundation and Creative Street will develop more user-friendly components to enhance the Foundation’s website dedicated to online firefighter training and education (www.PBFEducation.org), and offer additional fire and burn safety education programs on its website dedicated to these topics for college and university students (www.IGot2Kno.org). Both sites are featured and linked on the Foundation’s informational website (www.PeoplesBurnFoundation.org). “After considering several production and media companies, Creative Street rose to the top in light of its outstanding leadership, experience, reputation and client endorsements as a full-service media company to assist with these very important projects,” said Jim Shaffer, Executive Director of the Foundation. “We are confident Creative Street will exceed our expectations to enhance programs focused on saving lives and preventing fire and burn injuries in the firefighter and higher education communities, while also enhancing the Foundation’s overall image and identity.” “We are honored to be selected by The People’s Burn Foundation to help develop these important and potentially life-saving projects for firefighters, families and young people across our country,” said Steve Katzenberger, President and COO of Creative Street Media Group. “Once we learned about the mission of The People’s Burn Foundation and the far-reaching services they provide, our team really wanted to be a part of the important work they do.”

Thanks to the generosity and support of the Emergency Nurses Association; Local Chapter 134; India Owens, State President; and Natalie Calow, Chapter President, a holiday party for burn survivor children who attend the Foundation's Brave Hearts Camp and/or Hoosier Burn Camp will be conducted December 19 in Indianapolis. Site selection and details are being planned for this new event to provide burn survivor children an opportunity to enjoy fun and fellowship as a mid-winter activity. Collaboration with the Emergency Nurses Association and Hoosier Burn Camp is another example of how the Foundation is excited about partnering with organizations and companies making a difference in the lives of people affected by fire devastation and burn injuries. For more information, please contact Cindy Allison, Director of Events, Development & Camp (317-803-2876, Ext. 201 or callison@peoplesburnfoundation.org)

Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion and All-Pro center, and his wife, Karen, hosted this third annual event on Monday evening, October 19 at the Colts’ complex. The event has become one of Central Indiana’s premier charity fundraising events to benefit the Foundation and Kids’ Voice of Indiana, a child advocacy organization serving children in Indiana’s court system. More than 400 guests attended the festivities to raise awareness and funding for both organizations. Bob & Tom of Q95 Radio served as Masters of Ceremonies, while Tom Zupancic, Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing with the Colts, and Jimmy Mad Dog Matis of Q95, served as co-hosts for the live auction and reverse raffle. Highlights of the evening included attendance by 30-plus Colts teammates of Jeff's, who generously offered their time to sign autographs and talk with guests, and a special presentation by NFL MVP quarterback Peyton Manning. Everyone in attendance appreciated and thanked Jeff and Karen for their warm hearts, hospitality and generosity, while gaining a new appreciation for the Foundation and Kids' Voice of Indiana. Both organizations thank their many friends -- Indianapolis Colts for use of their outstanding facilities; Bob & Tom and Q95 for promotional and staff assistance; Sullivan's Steakhouse for a wonderful dinner; numerous corporate partners and contributors; hard-working volunteers; and enthusiastic, generous guests. Everyone who attended certainly must be looking forward to attending next year's Superbowl for Saturday's Kids. Thanks for everything, Jeff and Karen.

Superbowl for Saturday's Kids is sold out! This third annual event hosted by Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion and All-Pro center, and his wife, Karen, is Monday evening, October 19, at the Colts complex. The event has become one of Central Indiana’s premier charity fundraising events to benefit the Foundation and Kids’ Voice of Indiana, a child advocacy organization serving children in Indiana’s court system. Both organizations are extremely grateful to the Saturdays, the Colts, Q95 Radio, and the generous corporate partners and individuals who are supporting the event.

Jeff Saturday, Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl Champion and All-Pro center, and his wife, Karen, will host this third annual event on Monday evening, October 19, at the Colts’ complex. The event has become one of Central Indiana’s premier charity fundraising events to benefit the Foundation and Kids’ Voice of Indiana, a child advocacy organization serving children in Indiana’s court system. A few selected corporate sponsor opportunities are available for $10,000 and $5,000, which will feature dinner, entertainment, reverse raffle and participation by many of Jeff’s Colts teammates. A few Game Day tickets for couples are also available at $1,000. For more information, please download the document below or contact: Jim Shaffer, Executive Director (317-803-2876, Ext. 203; jshaffer@peoplesburnfoundation.org) - or - Cindy Allison, Director of Events, Development & Camp (317-803-2876, Ext. 201; callison@peoplesburnfoundation.org)

Our Extinguish the Need program, which serves individuals and families devastated by residential fire loss and burn injuries is reaching out to the community for help to re-stock its significantly depleted supplies due to a number of recent fires in Central Indiana. Visit our Extinguish the Need link under Programs & Support at the top of this page or click the flash panel on the Main page for detailed information about our needs for specific items. Thanks for compassionately caring about helping families affected by fire devastation and burn injuries during challenging economic times to provide basic essentials often taken for granted.

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.