As the Fresh Air Fund summer program comes to a close, host families take the time to reflect on their experiences.
Since 1877, the Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities. Over 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually.
In 2004, over 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. Additionally, 3,000 children attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300 acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.
This summer, 15 children visited volunteer host families in the Altoona area through the Fund’s Friendly Town Program. As summer comes to a conclusion, the children head home and volunteers have time to reflect upon their Fresh Air experiences.
“New York City in the summer can be one of the most difficult places to be, and it has been so rewarding to give them a little respite from that,” said one host, in a recent press release.
Each year, several children from New York visit host families in the Altoona area. Anyone interested in becoming a host for the Fresh Air Fun can find out more about volunteering by contacting Karen Gildea at 814-696-4225 or the Fresh Air Fund at 1-800-367-0003. Information can also be found on the web at www.freshair.org.
The Fresh Air Fund is always looking for local volunteers. Individuals who would like to provide a summer vacation experience for a city child may wish to consider volunteering.
