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Volunteer Highlights

Ann Elms (left) and Mac McDonald (right) were first introduced to the Burn Institute by a friend and fellow Kiwanian Ken Umbarger, a burn survivor and Burn Institute volunteer. After learning about everything the Burn Institute does in the community, Ann and Mac began volunteering for the Institute. For the past four years they have regularly volunteered for events such as The Flower Fields, Day at The Docks, school and corporate safety expos, and the annual FIRE EXPO, held each year at Qualcomm Stadium. As members of the East San Diego County Kiwanis Club, they also attend Camp Beyond the Scars and, along with fellow Kiwanis Club members, help prepare goodie bags for the children at camp. Ann and Mac are always ready and willing to volunteer and they do so with a smile and a great attitude. When asked why they volunteer for the Burn Institute, they said “they have a lot of fun being around children and helping such a great cause.”

Jon Sanford has been a dedicated Burn Institute volunteer since 2003. He first learned about the Burn Institute’s important work from his neighbor, Chief Mitch Sanders from the Federal Fire Department. For the past three years, Jon has volunteered for just about everything you can think of. He has helped with selling raffle tickets at Day at The Docks, and he volunteers with set up at the annual FIRE EXPO. He also helps with golf tournaments, community health fairs and the annual Share Your Heart Auction, Wine Tasting & Casino Night. However, his favorite volunteer activity is installing smoke alarms through the Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program. Together, Jon and his friend Ken Shortt have installed more than 100 smoke alarms and have helped to make our community a safer place. What many people may not know about Jon is that he is also a burn survivor. He was burned in the line of duty as a Forest Service Firefighter in 1959. In addition to volunteering for the Burn Institute, his hobbies include camping and making wood model boats and planes.

Paula Wernecke has been volunteering with the Burn Institute for more than three years, and she always brings a warm smile with her. Her volunteer efforts with the Burn Institute began when she helped out at the San Diego County Fire Chiefs’ Association Annual Golf Tournament; Paula is no stranger to the fire service. Her late husband, San Miguel Fire Captain John Wernecke, was in the fire service for 33 years. In addition to volunteering for various golf tournaments, Paula also volunteers for Day at the Docks, the Share Your Heart auction, Wine Tasting and Casino Night, Fire Prevention Week Open Houses and the annual FIRE EXPO held each year at Qualcomm Stadium. For the first time, this past summer, Paula served as a camp counselor at the Institute’s Camp Beyond the Scars. When asked why she enjoys volunteering for the Burn Institute, Paula replied “It’s rewarding and fun.” When Paul is not busy helping others, she likes to quilt, read and is interested in photography.

Captain Steve Linges from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is the kind of volunteer that epitomizes the true spirit of giving selflessly. He is proactive and motivated to make a positive impact, no matter what the task assigned. Throughout the year, you can find Steve volunteering at special events such as the Share Your Heart, Auction Wine Tasting & Casino Night and FIRE EXPO. But, Steve’s crowning achievement may be his volunteer efforts at Camp Beyond the Scars. Steve became a camp volunteer several years ago and hit the ground running. Steve quickly assumed the role of the supply coordinator and revolutionized how all the camp supplies are organized, transported, scheduled, prepped and stored after camp. Often referred to by his peers as “Supply Steve,” his behind-the-scene efforts make camp run smoothly and efficiently. The supply coordinator job can sometimes be a thankless job, involving everything from hauling water, sorting out roller blades, to handling on-site plumbing problems. Whatever the task, Steve never shirks away from anything that needs to be done. In the spring of 2003, Steve was honored with the CHAD Volunteer of the Year Award.