Sometimes the best gift doesn't come wrapped in colorful paper with a fancy bow. Children in South Carolina who've suffered serious burns and gone through months of treatment at the Children's Hospital receive special gifts all year long from firefighters who recycle aluminum cans to raise money that helps them during recovery.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, the children gathered at MUSC to thank the firefighters who've supported them and to celebrate the holidays together.

“This is always the best part of the year,” said Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) director Mary Wiltshire. “The expressions on the children's faces are priceless, and so is the work the firefighters do for these kids all year long.”

In 1998, the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Program assisted nearly 100 children by providing a variety of non-medical support including costly pressure garments, ointments and therapeutic activities. Almost 50 children attended Camp "Can" Do, a summer camp for burned children at Seabrook Island's Camp St. Christopher.

“When I see how the children enjoy the extra attention we're able to give them, I want to knock on every door in our city and ask for empty cans,” said Travis Carricato of the Columbia Fire Department.

This year, ACBC and its volunteers launched a new fire and burn safety education program targeted at pre-school children. Workshops were held for Head Start program teachers to share the special “Fire Safety Station” lesson plan that features Sesame Street characters. The program was developed by the U.S. Fire Administration and the Children's Television Workshop. ACBC also sponsors nine mobile fire safety houses that travel widely with firefighters to teach hands-on safety lessons.

ACBC continues to support the enlargement of a pediatric burn treatment room at the MUSC Children's Hospital. The room, filled with child-friendly paintings and toys, allows young patients to remain in familiar surrounding during dressing changes. More than 300 fire departments across the state collect and recycle aluminum cans to raise funds for ACBC. Since 1986, they have raised more than $1.3 million for burned children. For more information, call your local fire department or ACBC at 792-9579.