ANN ARBOR, MI - Michigan-based Chelsea Teddy Bear Company is conducting a fundraiser at its six retail stores to help send burn-injured children treated at the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center to Kids Burn Camp . This medically-based camp was specifically designed for children ages 8 to 17 who have survived devastating burn injuries.

Recovery from a burn injury continues long after leaving the hospital. These children face numerous operations throughout their lives. They may look different and be incapable of doing some of the physical activities they did prior to their injury. Kids Burn Camp gives the children a week to be special with being “special."

“We choose the Trauma Burn Center and the Kids Burn Camp because it specifically involved children, and especially children that have suffered from an extremely painful and traumatic event,” says Bob Turner, president of the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company. “Our goal is to send as many kids to burn camp as possible, and we can see the direct result from our efforts, which are different then when you give to a large charitable organization. Here we know that with about every $500 dollars we raise, another kid gets to go to camp. It's very rewarding.”

The Chelsea Teddy Bear Company is offering red felt hearts that individuals can purchase for $1 at its stores. The hearts will then be “stuffed” into the World's Largest Real Teddy Bear, with the proceeds benefiting Kids Burn Camp. Not only will participants help children gain the ability to cope with life after being burned, but also be part of breaking a world's record.

Each child will also receive a special Chelsea Teddy Bear upon arrival at camp. Kids Burn Camp will be held June 19 through June 24, 2005 at Camp Manitou-Lin, an accredited YMCA facility in Middleville, Mich. There is no charge to any camper for participation in this program.

Every child who has suffered a burn injury is offered the opportunity to attend Kids Burn Camp. The Burn Center receives donations to send children to Kids Burn Camp from corporations, individuals and fund-raisers such as the one being sponsored by the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company.

The Chelsea Teddy Bear Company stores in the Detroit Metro Area are located in
Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor, Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills, Laurel Park Place in Livonia, Southland Mall in Taylor, and Downtown Chelsea. For more information on this special fundraising effort, contact Bob Turner at ( 734) 433-5444 or visit www.chelseateddybear.com.

To learn more about Kids Burn Camp or to donate directly to the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center contact:

Susan Polan
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0033
susanmp@umich.edu
734-615-1967
www.traumaburn.org

Contact Steffanie Samuels at 734-763-7757 for more information about this fundraising effort.

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