Illinois Burn Prevention Golf Outing Raises More Than $84,000 for Charities

ORLAND PARK, Ill., June 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- More than $84,000 was raised for burn-injury survivors at the Illinois Burn Prevention Association's (IBPA) 19th Annual Burn Prevention Golf Invitational on June 3rd at Willow Crest Golf Club at the Oak Brook Hills Resort in Oak Brook. One hundred and thirty-four golfers participated in the event.

Money raised from the event was donated to the following organizations:

• $20,000 to Illinois Fire Safety Alliance's "Camp I Am Me" camp for burn-injured children (accepted by president Jim Kreher)
• $34,000 to Loyola University - Stritch School of Medicine (accepted by Dr. Michael Mosier, M.D.)
• $9,000 to local nonprofit From Tragedy to Triumph Foundation, an organization that provides college scholarships to former "Camp I Am Me" campers (accepted by founder Dave Schury)
• $12,000 to national nonprofit Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors (accepted by executive director Amy Acton)
• $9,000 to national nonprofit Common Voices, an advocates' coalition for individuals who have been directly affected by fire (accepted by board members Gregg Huennekens and John Viniello, both recipients of the National Fire Sprinkler Association's Golden Sprinkler Award)

Money was raised through sponsorships, primarily from members of the fire sprinkler industry, live and silent auctions, and prize raffles. In the past 19 years, the event has raised nearly $1.3 million for burn survivors.

Event chair Fred Kroll, United States Alliance Fire Protection, says he and the event committee members were very excited about the success of the event. "With a nearly 30% increase in fundraising from last year, we exceeded our expectations for this year. Through the generosity of those who participate, we have been able to continue expanding our charitable giving to organizations for burn survivors not only in Illinois, but also nationally," says Kroll. 

Guest speakers included Ron Kittle, former Chicago White Sox baseball player, and Jamie Nieto, burn survivor and PGA golf professional at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. Nieto spoke about his experience as a burn survivor. After receiving third-degree burns to over half his body, he was told he would never be able to golf again. Instead of giving up, he successfully proved his naysayers wrong. He credited some of the IBPA-supported burn survivor organizations for helping him cope with his injury and motivating him to professionally golf.

"Jamie Nieto's life story illustrates how burn survivors can overcome their injuries and achieve their dreams through assistance from the wonderful organizations the Illinois Burn Prevention Association supports," notes Kroll.

"Next year, we will celebrate 20 years of making a difference in the burn survivor community," adds Kroll.

About the Illinois Burn Prevention Association (IBPA)
IBPA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created to raise money for individuals who have experienced a significant burn injury that required hospitalization. Money is raised from an annual golf event and the generous support of sponsors. For more information, visit www.ilburnpreventionassoc.com.

SOURCE Illinois Burn Prevention Association (IBPA)