A Blast of Fresh Air in East Lyme, Old Lyme, and Lyme

This November, many families in Southeastern Connecticut are thankful for something special: the gift of their friendship with a New York City child. Each summer, over 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program.  By volunteering as a host family for summer 2013, the spirit of Thanksgiving can continue in your home throughout the year.

 “I love how quiet and peaceful it is compared to the city. When I’m with my host family, I always experience something different,” says 14-year-old Reggie, of Queens, NY.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877.

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for one or two weeks. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips. Over 65 percent of all children are reinvited to stay with their host families, year after year. 

For more information on hosting a Fresh Air child next summer, please contact Sharyn Benjamin at 860-861-8208 or The Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003. You can also visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.