February 19, 2026
Volunteer Spotlight: Dora Henry
Building Community, One Family at a Time
When Dora Henry first started volunteering with the Arizona Burn Foundation, she and her husband were entering a new season of life. With their children grown and in college, they had more time to give, and they wanted to use that time meaningfully.
Because her husband had spent 25 years with the Phoenix Fire Department, they had heard about ABF through fellow firefighters. So, they signed up to volunteer and soon found themselves immersed in the Camp Courage experience, where Dora served in the arts and crafts area.
“It was such a fun experience getting to know the kids,” Dora shared. “I got to see all of them because they all came through the arts and crafts room.”
Over the years, she watched campers grow up and gain confidence with each passing summer.
Supporting the Youngest Survivors
Then, two years ago, she shifted her focus to Camp Nurture, ABF’s weekend camp program designed to support the youngest burn survivors (ages 0–6) and their families. For Dora, the shorter commitment made it easier to continue doing the volunteer work she loved in a more intimate, family-centered environment.
Unlike Camp Courage, Camp Nurture brings the entire family into the healing process. Parents participate in small-group breakout sessions where they can speak openly with other adults who understand the emotional weight of caring for a young burn survivor.
“It’s so small and intimate,” Dora said. “I think the families love when they have the breakout sessions and it’s just the adults talking.”
Watching Families Grow
For Dora, one of the most meaningful parts of Camp Nurture is watching families return year after year and seeing once shy kids grow into outgoing, confident children.
“There was a family there this year, with a little girl who was just turning 4. But when I first met her, she was 2 and she was just so shy and afraid to talk. Then this year, boy, she just blossomed!” Dora recalled. “It was really good to see her and her family. They loved everything about Camp Nurture and meeting other families who had been through experiences just like they had.”
That sense of shared experience is what makes Camp Nurture so powerful. This year, a returning survivor family spoke with parents during a breakout session while volunteers played with the children outside.
Helping Shape the Camp Experience
Her commitment to Camp Nurture has deepened even further. For the past two years, Dora has served on the Camp Nurture planning committee, helping build the weekend experience from the ground up. From selecting this year’s jungle theme to brainstorming hands-on activities like animal masks and personalized memory boxes, she plays a key role in shaping the environment families step into.
“It’s been fun to build the whole plan,” she shared. “I think that’s great just to pick everyone’s brains to come up with ideas from the very beginning. Once we chose the theme, it was exciting to go online and look at all the different activities that we could do.”
A Weekend That Makes a Lasting Impact
Because of volunteers like Dora, Camp Nurture isn’t just a weekend away—it’s a place where families find understanding, connection, and hope for the journey ahead.
“It’s very rewarding. They are long days, but it’s so worth it.”
Want to learn more about ABF’s Thrive Programs, including our camps? Explore our Camps page for details.
