RENEE O'CONNOR EVENT
Images by KT Jorgensen
2007 Southern
California Firefighters Burn Relay
to benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation
28 April 2007
Report | Photos | Exclusive Renee Video Interview | Press Release
Renee will be participated in the Southern California Firefighters Burn Relay to help raise funds for the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation.
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Exclusive Renee O'Connor Interview 28 April 2007
Renee was gracious enough to give AUSXIP reporter Christa and her
sidekick Ruth a video interview for the site. It's a wide ranging
interview covering a great many topics including working on Boogeyman,
Ghost Town, her thoughts on her co-workers over the years in various
movies and some stories. Her thoughts about living in New Zealand, what
Xena taught her and other topics.
The interview is 15 minutes in length and it's Renee at her most candid.
Many thanks to Renee for taking the time for this interview and for
being so candid. Renee was also given the money from the mini auction
which raised $710 and she presented the checks to the Alissa Ann Ruch
Burn Foundation!
I hope you all enjoy this interview.
I reached the fire station in Industry around 3 PM, before the relay teams
had arrived. I had just finished my chili sample when the fire trucks made their
roaring entrance onto the scene, bringing the crowd out to give the
riders--including Renee and Miles--an enthusiastic greeting. As I returned to my
seat after saying hello, Renee made the rounds, meeting and greeting friends and
attendees before "setting up shop" a just couple of seats away.
Thus, I had a great view as Renee settled in and got down to business: signing
autographs, giving out goodies, and just generally having a great time with the
folks. It was an amazing thing to watch, to see Renee interact with everyone
around her with all the kindness, grace and charm we've come to expect from her.
She showed tremendous enthusiasm for the fans, despite having just come off a
long ride with plenty of stops along the way. That ability to be so personable
and genuine, after a full day's effort and after years of appearing at similar
events, is in some ways a talent every bit as impressive as Renee's acting
skill, and it was a pleasure to witness it up close. The whole scene provided
yet another affirmation of Renee's sterling character. And all this despite her
mother's insistence that Renee is "shy"!
Speaking of whom, I can't go any further without singing the praises of Renee's
mother. Sandra arrived shortly after the party started, bringing Iris along to
share in the fun. After doing some of her own meeting and greeting, Sandra
eventually sat down nearby and we got to talking. In fact, I probably spent more
time talking to Renee's mom than to Renee herself. I can tell you, she was
perfectly delightful to talk to, more than a match for her daughter in friendly
charm. Unfortunately, like a fool, I didn't even realize who she was until I
finally asked if she was "family from back home." Duh! Even as I apologized for
my ignorance, Sandra's kindness helped alleviate my embarrassment. We talked and
joked, and she even passed along some parenting wisdom for my sister, who has
two young children of her own. It was a wonderful meeting, and Sandra was so
kind and friendly that she made even someone as obscure as myself feel welcome
and appreciated.
And as if that weren't enough, both of Renee's children brought their own
special presence to the proceedings. Miles charmed everyone around him,
especially with his obvious love for his sister, before ultimately making his
way onto the stage, where he just about took over as MC of the raffle. He seems
to be a natural in front of a crowd. (Gotta be the genes.) Miles'
accomplishments for the day: a good long ride on a fire truck, winning over the
crowd and sharing a bunch of prizes with the raffle winners, and then finally
collecting a good sized box of swag for himself. Not a bad day for a boy!
Not to be outdone, Iris was one more star of the show. Not only is she just
about the most beautiful baby anyone's ever seen, she was also wonderfully sweet
and well-behaved--a living, breathing ray of sunshine who warmed all of us with
her presence.
All in all, it was a true delight to spend a couple of hours hanging out with
Renee, Sandra, Miles and Iris. To be able to spend that time with them, and at
the same time to help out a worthy cause, gave me a sense of joy that I carried
with me all during my long ride back home. Renee and her family are truly a gift
that keeps on giving.
In closing, I hope I speak for everyone when I say, "Hey, 'shy girl,' please
give all of us another chance to see you soon. And please, be sure to bring Mom
and the kids, too!"
Burn Relay Press Release and Ticket Information
Ticket information:
People can call to buy raffle tickets to support the Relay. The tickets are a
dollar each and they have some pretty nice prizes Universal Hollywood, Jay Leno
Taping, Lego Land and more….
626-233-2843
You can purchase "Opportunity Tickets" and if they win and live out of state,
yes, the folks who send things out will send their presents to them.
Wherever.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Support Your Local Firefighters
Firefighters and Local Fire Agencies Host 16th Annual Burn Relay to Benefit Burn
Survivors
(Los Angeles, CA)…Los Angeles City and County Fire Departments and members of
fire associations throughout Southern California will gather at the Santa Monica
Air Center (3021 Airport Ave.) at 7:30 a.m.
on Saturday April 28, 2007 to kick off the 16th Annual Burn Relay to benefit the
Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF).
Funds raised benefit burn survivor children and their families as well as providing support for AARBF's burn prevention education programs. Two relay teams composed of 15-20 antique and modern fire apparatus and emergency vehicles will parade to 20 fire stations from Santa Monica to Long Beach and from Beverly Hills to San Marino. Celebrities, burn survivors, and firefighters will ride on the vehicles to each station where firefighters will donate funds which they have raised to benefit the Foundation from events such as pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners. Confirmed celebrities include one of L.A.'s favorites-Dr. George Fishbeck, and Reneé O'Connor, whom fans of Xena, Princess Warrior will remember as feisty, scene-stealing "Gabrielle".
By mid-afternoon teams will arrive in tandem at the Los Angeles County Fire Department Station #118 (17056 Gale Ave.) for a Hotly-Contested Chili Cook-Off, complete with imported chili judges, opportunity drawings, and terrific food. The finale event is open to the public.
Come and join the 16th Annual Burn Relay and show your support for our local
firefighter heroes!
The Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation was founded in 1971 after the tragic death of
Alisa Ann in a backyard barbeque accident. The organization is dedicated to
enhancing the quality of life for burn survivors and as well as providing vital
burn prevention education throughout the State of California. Celebrating its
35th year of
service, AARBF works in partnership with local firefighters, educators, and burn
care professionals to develop innovative burn survivor and burn prevention
education programs
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