Firefighters collect aluminum cans to benefit burned children

Bay Village Fire Chief Chris Lyons

All area residents and merchants: Please save and drop off your used aluminum beverage cans at the Bay Village Fire Department to benefit burned children. These aluminum cans really do a lot of good for fire safety education, and for children who are victims of severe burns. The drop-off bin is available for use 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and is in a brick-and-wood enclosure on the east side of the fire station driveway with a large red sign that reads ALUMINUM CAN RECYCLING.

Cans are collected by Aluminum Cans for Burned Children of Northeast Ohio (ACBC), whose mission is to prevent burn injuries through fire education and to impact the physical and emotional rehabilitation of pediatric burn survivors.

In 1986 the Northern Ohio Fire Fighters, the Northeast Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, along with MetroHealth Medical Center, started the ACBC foundation to help children who suffer severe burn injuries. The ACBC program pays for special medical equipment not normally covered by insurance to aid in the healing process. ACBC strives to meet the individual needs of the patients and provides rehabilitation, clothing, toys, games, computer and video equipment and other miscellaneous items not covered by insurance.

Since 1988, burn survivors from age 5 to 16 have been able to enjoy a free, four-day retreat at a special camp. The camp experience brings together some 50-60 burned children to enjoy a fun, therapeutic camping experience with others who have suffered similar injuries.

The ACBC program also offers a scholarship program open to any pediatric patient who has been an inpatient at MetroHealth's Burn Center. The program annually awards scholarships to qualified recipients at an accredited school or university.

You can read more about ACBC at their website, acbcohio.org. Feel free to stop in at the fire station with any questions or just to say hello when you are there to drop off your aluminum cans – we would love to see you!