Burned Children Recovery Foundation Tag

It was the third annual event for Ryan's fundraising weekend and my third go as the photographer. It truly is a great weekend, three days of generating awareness and funds for the Burned Children Recovery Foundation. Every Summer, the BCRF's founder holds a week-long camp for the burned children community in the Bellingham area. I've had a chance to personally visit the summer camp to see the amazing, brave survivors Ryan's fundraiser benefits.

matty_7.15.11_ 609 In my opinion, there is no better way to spend an evening than to be laughing the whole time. Life is just way too short to not enjoy it and make the most out of it. Laughter makes us feel good, brings people together, and on this particular evening, laughter raised a boat load of money for a great cause. In front of a sold-out crowd, Ryan Stiles and Colin Mochrie played in the beautiful Mt. Baker theatre. The quick-witted duo even had me laughing as I was capturing the action. The show's proceeds went towards the Burned Children Recovery Foundation. This show was the first of three days of fundraising for the organization, thanks to Ryan and his team. The theatre itself was fun to photograph, the interior lighting design was well-thoughtout.

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CLICK FOR CAMP PHOENIX GALLERY

Camp Phoenix is a summer getaway event for burned children. They come from all over the nation, a few outside the nation, to enjoy a week with fellow burn victims. It's a place where they don't have to feel alone, singled-out, and can embrace in the similarities they have with other children who have gone through the same experience of being burned. They can enjoy the week full of activities and not feel the stresses of normal everyday life where they no doubt have to deal with the difficulty of living in such a superficial society. The camp is put on by the Burned Children Recovery Foundation every summer, led by founder and president Michael Mathis. Mike is also a burn victim, who's efforts have generated the awareness that have made Camp Phoenix and the BCRF possible. The BCRF had some major good news this summer with some awesome contributions donated via the surrounding community. One such donation came in the form of a $130,000 check, thanks to Ryan Stiles and his hard-working crew. If you sift back a few posts, you'll see one on the Ryan Stiles Celebrity Golf Classic. All proceeds from the golfing event, as well as a full weekend of fund-raising events, were donated to the BCRF. I was more than happy to donate a few hours to capture both the fund-raising weekend, as well as this opening day of camp to pay thanks to all of the community who put their time, money, and effort into the BCRF.