Those lucky enough to end their morning commute at Templeton Canada Line station Wednesday morning would have breathed in the sweet smell of pancakes and breakfast sausage, heard some upbeat pop tunes, and seen dozens of YVR employees dancing as they served up a home-cooked morning meal.
The airport's airfield and emergency services team hosted a breakfast fundraiser to support Burn Camp - a one week summer camp for burn victims between the ages of 5 and 17.
Tables covered with plastic cloths lined a section of the parking lot, while tours of firefighting equipment were available, including that of the OshKosh Striker 3000 - a vehicle targeted for airport fires and able to carry 3,000 gallons of water, compared to the 500-1,000 gallons of a regular fire truck.
The emergency services team conceived the idea about eight weeks ago as a way to give back to the community after the trauma of the Northern Thunderbird Air crash last October.
"The crash really affected everyone at the airport," said Aaron Roeck, part of the airfield and emergency services team, and one of the organizers of the breakfast. "We felt compelled to give back to the community. And thought a good way would be to help the kids who've suffered from burn trauma."
The breakfast, held at Templeton station, was meant to target the morning rush hour crowd and YVR employees, who generally park in the lot near the station.
A constant stream of a few hundred adults and kids trickled in between 6 and 9 a.m., when the employees volunteered their time.
"We've gotten some really positive feedback so far," said Roeck. "Lots of kids are coming out, the truck is a big hit. It's mostly airport employees, but people have been hopping off the SkyTrain to see what it's about."
Even those who weren't able to stay for breakfast would slip a donation in the box, according to Roeck, but there were also several to-go "piggies in a blanket".
"It's really great that they're doing this," said Lisa Lacamell, executive director for British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund - which runs the annual Burn Camp.
The Burn Fund hosts fundraisers and relies on donations to send approximately 80 kids per year to Burn Camp, free of charge. Camp staff is all volunteers, ranging from firefighters to nurses and burn survivors. After kids turn 17, they can return to camp as a junior counsellor.
"That absolutely helps the other kids to see younger role models," said Lacamell. "Many have scarring that is hard for them socially. Coming to camp, they don't have to worry about it; everyone is like them. They see adults there who are married with kids, they're able to see that life goes on."
The camp provides kids with a life-changing opportunity to overcome their experiences and past trauma. Many who attend are able to open up again and overcome feelings of sadness or anger, according to Lacamell.
The Burn Fund raises approximately $1.3 million a year for the camp, but their reach extends to research, purchasing equipment, and supporting survivors and their families.
The fund is currently campaigning to raise money to build the equivalent of a Ronald MacDonald House in Vancouver for victims and their families. The house will be a central point between BC Children's Hospital and VGH, where most burn victims are treated.
"When they're sent to Vancouver, it's generally pretty severe and families usually need a place to stay overnight," said Lacamell.
"This will take away that added stress. Burn victims can sometimes need overnight supervision for up to a year."
The Burn Patient and Family Accommodations campaign hopes to raise $7.5 million by the end of the year for the house, and have reached $4.5 million so far.
As for YVR, the airfield and emergency services team hopes to continue to fundraise for the Burn Fund and might even send some volunteers to camp next summer.
"There's no reason why not," said Roeck. "I'd love to go to the camp and help out."
The event raised $2,200 and the airport authority's community investment program topped up the donations to equal $5,000. All funds go to sending children to Burn Camp.
