Several members of Local 35 donated their time recently to help out at Camp Sunshine, a four-day-long camp for children who have suffered burn injuries. Lt. Chris Patton, Lt. Alana Merritt and Firefighter Brian Thomas volunteered as camp counselors. Lt. John Miller and Lt. Mark Wittenburg worked behind the scenes as volunteers. Lts. Miller and Chris Patton are also on the planning committee of Camp Sunshine, working year-round to plan each summer’s session.

On the second day of the camp, members of Local 35 cooked fish, hushpuppies and French fries for the entire camp. Those volunteers were Tom Cross, Capt. Gerald Tucker, Firefighters Jeremy Reed and Sean Walker.
Fifty-two campers attended Camp Sunshine this year, ranging from ages 3 to 25. Most have Arkansas connections, including living in Arkansas and being treated at Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s burn unit.

In addition to Arkansas firefighters, many nurses who worked first-hand with the campers in the early stages of their recovery. The camp is located at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock, and provides four days of crafts, games, contests, a dance and field trips and allows burn victims to meet and bond with people who understand where they have been. The camp is in its 22nd year and is funded, in part, by firefighter unions from around the state.

-- akm