Fresh Air Fund seeks hosts

Summer vacation, a special time of year for all children, is not far away. Thanks to many families in and around Marlboro, Freehold and Manalapan 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 Fresh Air Fund's Friendly Town program is seeking host families to welcome children this summer.

"I got to swim in a lake," said Marquita, an 11-year-old girl from Brooklyn. "I felt the fish nibbling at my toes!"

This year the fund needs more host families to celebrate its 131st 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 Fresh Air visitors often last a lifetime, according to the organization.

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 6 to 12 years old, and reinvited youngsters may participate in the Friendly Town program through age 18. To learn more about hosting a Fresh Air child this summer, contact Corinne LeBaron at (732) 513-3643, or call The Fresh Air Fund at (800) 367-0003.