There's still time to host a Fresh Air child

Goshen — Summer vacation, that special time of year for all children, is not far away. Thanks to many families in Orange County and throughout 13 northeastern states and Canada, close to 5,000 New York City children from low-income neighborhoods enjoy a two-week vacation to the homes of volunteer host families each summer through The Fresh Air Fund. The fund is currently seeking more families to give inner-city children a two-week vacation this summer. By volunteering as a host family for the Friendly Town program, you can help give a child a break from the hot and crowded city streets. “My kids just ran out the back door, but our Fresh Air child stopped to put on his shoes and socks. I told him he could just run along with the kids. He looked at me with a strange expression on my face, and then I realized he never had the opportunity to just go outside and play in a backyard,” explained a current Fresh Air host. This year, the fund needs more host families to celebrate its 130th anniversary of sharing the joys of suburban and small town life like smelling fresh flowers, casting a fishing pole for the first time, or hearing crickets chirp. The friendships that develop between hosts and their visitors can last a lifetime. There are no financial requirements for hosting a Fresh Air child. Hosts can select the gender and approximate age of their visitor. First-time visitors are six to 12 years old, and reinvited youngsters may participate through age 18. To learn more, call 800-367-0003 ext. 8908, or visit www.freshair.org.