Fill the Boot to Help Burn Camp Kids

When you’re picking up your groceries this weekend, you can also help support a summer camp that provides a refuge for children with burn injuries.

Plainfield firefighters will be at , 13460 S. Route 59, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 16, to “Fill the Boot” for the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance’s “I Am Me” burn camp.

A second Fill the Boot collection for the camp is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at Walmart, 12690 S. Route 59.

Held each June at the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s Camp Duncan in Ingleside, Illinois, "Camp I Am Me” lets young burn survivors share the camp experience and play without feeling self-conscious about their scars. Many of the camp’s volunteer staff are also burn survivors.

August car show

Plainfield-area residents will get a third chance to Fill the Boot during the Southland Street Machines’ third annual car show, set to take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Headquarters, 23748 W. 135th St..

This year, proceeds of the event, this time dubbed the “Camp I Am Me” Car Show, will be split between the Plainfield Fire Protection District and the camp.

Firefighter Randy Krnac, a member of the Southland Street Machines car club, said money raised through 50/50 raffles and car show entry fees will be donated to the camp, as well as the fire district.

In its third year, the car show is moving from its previous location at to the fire district headquarters.

Nabby’s will still be part of the event as a food vendor, Krnac said. The event will also feature a DJ, courtesy of sponsor , and ice cream sold from a restored Good Humor truck.

Krnac said the show will feature everything from hotrods to classic cars to fire vehicles.

Guests will be also able to vote for their favorites in a variety of categories.

The event is free to spectators and $10 for car show entries. Participants can register the day of the show. The first 100 entries will receive a goody bag.

This year, businesses are chipping in $50 to sponsor trophies, Krnac said, adding a few sponsorships are still left.

For more information on the show or to become a sponsor, call Lowell at 815-791-8703 or Chuck at 815-405-0341.

To learn about "Camp I Am Me," call 800-634-0911 or visit www.ifsa.org.