After Dr. Panettieri retired to Florida, he was
recognized for his
achievements by the Board of Trustees of Bridgeport Hospital who
graciously named the Burn Center after him and his wife: the Dr.
Andrew J. and Henrietta Panettieri Burn Center.
Art Luf
continued to lead the Foundation with dedicated determination.
A new project was promulgated that received accolades
from school officials and state officials. A burn education trailer
with animated figures was created to help educate school children
on fire safety and fire prevention. A wise old owl, nicknamed "Doc
Burns", told a compelling story to the children on how to be fire
safe. The trailer and animated characters logged on many, many
miles as it told its special story to young and old
alike.
The Foundation Board and President Art Luf was not
finished
with their magic. Seeing the special needs that children burn survivors require
in coping with their injuries and reintegrating in
family life and community life, the Foundation Board, under the
direction of its tireless leader, Art Luf, launched a new project that
has changed the lives of many children burn survivors forever. The
first ever Burn Camp in the Northeast was established in 1991 at
Camp Hi-Rock/Bear Rock located in the foothills of the Berkshire
Mountains at Mt. Washington, Massachusetts with 20 kids participating
in a "camping experience of a lifetime". Through the years,
the program has grown in stature and significance. The Children's
Burn Camp, now located on 176 beautiful acres in Union, CT,
accepts severly burned children between the ages of 8-18. All
children attend free of charge and are the recipients of a very special
program that combines the opportunity to build each child's self-esteem
and self-confidence through self-discovery with an unsurpassed
camping experience that includes activities like fishing,
archery, boating, swimming, hiking and a challenging ropes course.
What makes the Children's Burn Camp unique from others is the
special involvement of its volunteer counselors and staff comprised
primarily of firefighters from the fire departments throughout New
England, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. and a
medical team from the leading Burn Centers in the Northeast. We
now have between 50-70 campers each year that come to us from
New England, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia,
Maryland and Washington, D.C.. We also receive campers from
international countries like Vietnam, Dominican Republic,
Venezuela, Peru, Russia, Croatia and Puerto Rico.
The
Connecticut Burns Foundation is always looking for new
initiatives that will respond to the needs of burn survivors and help
promote awareness on fire safety and fire prevention.
Accomplishments!
Medical Equipment
Over the
years, many items of
medical equipment have been
purchased for the Dr. Andrew J. and Betty Panettieri Burn Center
at Bridgeport Hospital, allowing burn personnel to administer up-to-date
technology to their patients. The Burn Center recently made
major renovations assisted by a contribution from the Foundation.
Education
A) Every
year since it's inception, the Foundation has provided
financial assistance to burn personnel to attend the annual American
Burn Association Conference held throughout the United
States, enabling them to learn the most advanced techniques in care
for the burn patient.
B) Has provided financial assistance to Bridgeport Hospital for
burn care research.
C) Distributes literature to the general public concerning the
prevention and treatment of burns.
Our Major Accomplishment
The major project of
the Connecticut Burns Care Foundation is
The Arthur C. Luf Children's Burn Camp for severly burned children between the
ages
of 8-18, who attend a one-week camp free of charge. (Learn more
about the Children's Burn Camp)
click
here |
