Our History
In 1986 the Northern Ohio Fire Fighters, the Northeast Fire Chief’s Association, along with MetroHealth MedicalCenter of Cleveland started the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Foundation (ACBC) 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 Camp Phoenix. Camp Phoenix is held in the summer and winter at Camp Cheerful, in Strongsville, Ohio. The camp experience brings together some fifty burned children to enjoy a fun, therapeutic camping experience with others who have suffered similar injuries. The aim is to create a secure environment providing an atmosphere to promote interaction and help the children to better cope with their injuries. They also hear from other burn survivors who have successfully recovered.
The ACBC program offers a scholarship program open to any pediatric patient who has been an inpatient at the Burn Center. The program annually awards scholarships to qualified recipients at an accredited school or university.
The ACBC program provides a Fire Safety Houses to elementary schools and community home days promoting fire safety in the home. Operated by firefighters, the houses are actually 28-foot trailers built to resemble two-story homes. The goal of ACBC is to educate young children about the dangers of fire, how to call 911 in the event of an emergency, what to do if there is a fire in their home, and other important fire safety tips. Over 3,000 Northeast Ohio school children tour the Fire Safety Houses annually.
Our Mission
The mission of the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children of Northeast Ohio (ACBC) is to prevent burn injuries through fire education and to impact the physical and emotional rehabilitation of pediatric burn survivors.
A Message From Our Executive Director
Thank you for your interest and support of Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC).
Aluminum Cans for Burned Children is a 30-year-old nonprofit organization founded by your local firefighters, fire chiefs, their unions and MetroHealth System. ACBC works with Northeast Ohio fire departments, schools and community organizations to teach more than 3,000 children annually not only how to prevent fires but how to respond if one breaks out.
ACBC also supports programs that create dignity, community and opportunity for childhood burn survivors. Partnering with area fire stations and the MetroHealth Burn Care Center, ACBC sponsors weekend camps as well as other programs to meet the everyday needs of these children and their families.
A major source of income is as our name implies: aluminum beverage can recycling. We rely on you to help others.
Each year we collect over 55,000 pounds or almost 28 tons of aluminum cans that are sold as scrap. More than 85 fire stations across Northeast Ohio provide easy drop-off areas that the public can access without entering the station. Simply place your bagged cans inside ACBC container behind the fire station and we do the rest.
You can also honor our work and that of area firefighters with a contribution to our program. Either way, you can help us change lives by saving cans.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Thank you again for your continued support and commitment to Aluminum Cans for Burned Children.
Wishing you good health and safety,
Helen Jones-Toms
Executive Director
Aluminum Cans for Burned Children