PHOTOS: MV Fire Donates $13,500 to Burn Foundation

One year of fundraising leads to this moment—the presentation of a check to the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF) during the annual Peninsula Firefighters Burn Relay.

"This is a major support for us, besides the work of the volunteers and their coming to the Champ Camp," said Sarah Burton, director of programs for the foundation, from inside of the 's Station No. 1 on Shoreline Boulevard.

"It goes beyond the monetary donation," she said. "The support of the Mountain View Fire Department through money and time has been phenomenal."

Members of MVFD's Engine 2 and the MV Fire Associates gathered this morning, Aug. 18 to present two checks totaling $13,600 to the AARBF. According to the spokeswoman for the MFVD, Jaime Garrett, the funds are raised from the annual and through individual donations.

Station No. 1 was the third stop in a caravan relay that began at the Moffett Field Fire Department headquarters and then headed to Sunnyvale. At each stop, the fire department presents a check to the foundation. By the end of the day, 16 fire stations would have been visited on the way to San Francisco.

The AARBF provides support to burn survivors and their loved ones and came about after 8-year-old, Alisa Ann Ruch died in a backyard barbecue accident in Southern California. Her parents, local firefighters and medical professionals created AARBF in 1971 to prevent burn injuries by teaching Stop Drop and Roll.

All these years later, they have several programs that include a young adult summit, support services and "Champ Camp," a residential camp for burn survivors ages five to 16.

To support these efforts, each year the MVFD hosts its annual Pancake Breakfast where they teach fire prevention and also raise money for the foundation. This year the 7th Annual Pancake Breakfast takes place on Sept. 24 from 8 to 11 a.m. Cost $5 per adult and $3 for kids under 10.

Ron Greene and Jerry Hoag, two of several volunteers with MV Fire Assocates, help coordinate on-site rehabilitation services for firefighters in cases of two-alarm or greater fires. They came with a check for the burns foundation too.

"As part of the fire community, it's our way to show appreciation to the fire departments in the county," said Greene. "This is our way to pay back and through volunteerism."