Bob Visconti, president of the Burn Institute-Inland Empire, presented an award to the Corona Firefighterâs for their outstanding efforts in the âGive Burns the Bootâ, firefighter boot drive.
Corona Firefighterâs, members of the Corona Fire Explorerâs and their family members spent their spare time in the, âFill the Bootâ event. The amount raised, $3,774 was the largest sum collected by any single organization that participated.
Burn injuries remain one of the leading causes of childhood death and/or disfigurement in the United States. Children who survive a serious burn injury are faced with permanent scarring, physical deformity, social isolation and emotional trauma long after the initial tragedy.
The Burn Institute-Inland Empire hosts many events throughout the year for these children such as âCamp Beyond the Scars,â a winter snow camp held every February to provide a social setting that offers burn injured children the support and counseling needed to establish and enhance their self-esteem.
Many of the firefighters that participated in the boot drive have also been camp counselors.