To the editor:

On behalf of Sister Lakes Fire Department, we are contacting the public for support as we prepare for our annual golf tournament to support Great Lakes Burn Camp.

This is our largest fundraising event of 2011.

This fun-filled money-raising event will be held on June 12 at Spruce Ridge Golf Course in Dowagiac.

Registration starts at 11 a.m. for a shotgun start at noon.

The annual Great Lakes Burn Camp has been successful in the years past because of people like you, who have offered generous support through generous donations and/or contributions.

All proceeds of this event go towards Great Lakes Burn Camp.

They use these proceeds to send burn-injured children to camp at no cost to their families, as well as to purchase specialized equipment, cover the cost of events and transportation and to provide quality meals and lodging.

Great Lakes Burn Camp is a special place for burn-injured kids to meet, grow, heal and support other burn survivors.

Kids get to share their stories and open up to others as they do fun-filled activities.

These activities help to teach them new things and build their self-esteem.

At camp, each child receives 24-hour medical supervision, dressing changes, physical therapy or any other need that they may have while at camp.

The summer camp is held in Kalamazoo for six days every August and costs $600 per child.

The winter session is held in northern Michigan for a three-day weekend that costs $300 per child.

With this in mind, we are approaching our families, friends and communities with ways one might help support and/or sponsor our event.

We are asking for any donation and/or contribution.

Currently, we are looking for donations for prizes to give the winning teams of our annual golf outing, as well as tee sponsors.

The tee sponsorship is $40 and will include your name or business name printed on a sign and placed next to the hole you have sponsored.

Also, please keep in mind that you can also put a team in the tournament. It is $200 per four-man team, which includes your play, cart and a meal.

There will be prizes and giveaways. We look forward to seeing all of you.

Sister Lakes Fire Department is on a mission to support these burn-injured children and give them an opportunity to join the Great Lakes Burn Camp, where burn victims become burn survivors!

We thank all of you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions, concerns or would like to know more about the burn camp, please feel free to contact us at (269) 806-5065 or (269) 506-5637.

Natasha Tanzillo

Tony Stewart

Sister Lakes

Fire Department

Dowagiac