Our Work

Legendary rock musician Leslie West performs with students from Bergen County's School of Rock

Burn Survivors Garner Proceeds of Bergen PAC Concert

ENGLEWOOD NJ - In an effort to aid children and war veterans who survive catastrophic burns, legendary rock musician Leslie West of Mountain fame along with students from the Paul Green School of Rock performed at a concert Jan. 24 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood.

"You are seeing young musicians who are making a commitment to helping others," said Sam Davis, founding director of the Burn Advocates Network in Teaneck.

Over $10,000 was raised from the show and the silent auction of three guitars. Proceeds will benefit the 2009 Burn Camp Music Program and Burned Veterans Volunteer Project organized by the Burn Advocates Network.

West shook the walls of the Bergen PAC as he belted out Mountain's famous "Mississippi Queen" and other rock classics including a moving rendition of Curtis Mayfield's 1960s hit, "People Get Ready."

"When you look at some of these children, you realize, boy we got a lot of nerve thinking we've got problems," West told a crowd of over 500 people.

West serves as the organization's music director for its Burn Camp Music Program.

The Burn Advocates Network has been instrumental in providing music and recreational programs and volunteers to 22 burn camps and centers throughout the United States.

Burn camps offer children with major burn scars and often critically damaged hands the opportunity to participate in music groups via adaptive musical instruments.

On March 31, the Israel Burn Camp for Children - the first specialized camp for survivors of catastrophic burns - will open March 31 at a kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Via specialized instruments, the Israel Burn Camp will offer the first drum circle for children whose hands are seriously injured from devastating burns.

"The more time you spend with burn survivors, the more your perspective changes about the challenges they will go through for the rest of their lives," Davis said.

At these camps, burn survivors have an outlet to rebuild their self-esteem as they face the challenges of reintegration into society.

The Israel Burn Camp for Children will offer a variety of confidence building activities such as horseback riding, archery, ropes courses, music and movement program, and arts and crafts.

The camp will also meet children's special medical needs with a qualified nurse and physical and occupational therapists on staff.

The School of Rock Bergen County chapter has performed with other rock legends like Paul Rogers, Grand Funk Railroad, Peter Frampton, Keith Emerson. It has played for terminally ill children at Hackensack Hospital and raised thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society, The Make a Wish Foundation, and Songs of Love, as well as victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Students from the School of Rock Road Kill Team performed such classic hits as Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and The Beatles' "Dear Prudence," as well as hits by Led Zeppelin and The Who.

Special guests at the concert included Doug Brockie, Jimmy Gnecco, Static, Nikki Armstrong, and Jamie Janoff.

For more information about BAN, contact Sam Davis at (201) 220-3908 or sam@burnadvocates.org. For information about the Paul Green School of Rock contact Andy Lucibello at (201) 513-5826 or andy@schoolofrock.com.

BAN Founding President Sam Davis presents the 2008 Burn Survivors Who Inspire Award to the friends and family of Marine Sgt. Merlin German.

2008 Burn Survivors Who Inspire Award Presented to Soldier's Family

TEANECK, NJ - The family and friends of Marine Sgt. Merlin German, a U.S. soldier burned in 2005 while serving in Iraq, was presented with the Burn Survivors Who Inspire award at a Burn Advocates Network fundraising event in at the Ultra Bar in Teaneck, N.J., Jan. 8.

"The more time you spend with burn survivors, the more your perspective changes about what challenges they will go through for the rest of their lives," said Sam Davis, founding director of BAN.

Among the people who turned out to show their support of BAN were rock musician Leslie West of the band Mountain. West is dedicated to BAN's mission and serves as music director for the organization's burn camps.

Burn camps throughout the United States offer children with major burn scars and often damaged hands the opportunity to participate in music groups via adaptive musical instruments.

"When you feel sorry for yourself, then you see these soldiers and kids, you stop sulking," West said.

German was burned over 97% of his body when a roadside bomb exploded under his Humvee. He was not expected to survive but after over 9 months in the intensive care unit and over 150 surgeries later, he had clearly defied all odds. Merlin became known to everyone as the Miracle Man.

Merlin died in April 2008 after a skin graft surgery. The charity he created, Merlin's Miracles, lives on as a tribute to his vision.

The event also marked the sendoff for a dozen Strumsticks to recuperating soldiers at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.

"These stringed instruments with adaptive picks provide wonderful therapy for the wounded warriors who are facing years of surgery and physical therapy," said Davis.

"This summer we taped an instructional video for pediatric burn survivors who were attending the Susquehanna Burn Camp. The kids had a great time while learning a fun hobby. We are sure the troops will also benefit from having them available during their recuperation."

The Burn Advocates Network works to support children and veteran survivors of catastrophic burns as they face the challenges of recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration. BAN has been instrumental in providing music and recreational programs and volunteers to 22 burn camps and centers throughout the country.

On March 31 in Israel, they will be opening the first specialized camp for children with burn scars, situated at a kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. It will be open to Jewish, Christian and Arab children who are recovering from devastating burn trauma.

For more information about BAN, contact Sam Davis at (201) 220-3908 or sam@burnadvocates.org.