Commack Residents Enjoy Extended Family for the Summer

Summer is right around the corner, and for the Desmonds, of Commack, that means they get to have fun in the sun with one more sibling. 

The local family has been a part of the Fresh Air Fund host family program for the past four years, in which New York City children from low-income communities visit and stay with a family in the suburbs for the summer. 

Pamela Desmond spent each summer with a Fresh Air child growing up. When she had her own kids, she knew she wanted to do the same. 

“I never forgot when my parents invited a Fresh Air child to our house one summer when I was growing-up,” said Pamela, about how she decided to become a volunteer host. “I knew it would be a meaningful experience for my family in the future.”

The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency that has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Each summer, more than 4,000 children visit volunteer host families in rural, suburban and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 

The Desmond family has been hosting 10-year-old Elton, of Elmhurst since 2010. “He really is part of our extended family. Elton definitely has made a difference in my family’s life,” Pamela said. 

Since Pamela’s sons are close in age to Elton, they spend most of their time outside on warm summer days. “They love hanging out on the front lawn, playing Legos, and jumping in the pool. Honestly, they enjoy the simple things.”

“Just swimming in the pool is really fun because we get to relax and cool-off,” said Elton’s host sibling Daniel. “I don’t consider Elton a friend anymore, I consider him a member of my family.” 

When Elton arrived for his first visit in 2010, he was afraid of the family’s dog Buddy. “After he overcame his fear, he would come walk the dog around the block with us. Now, it’s definitely one of his favorite pastimes,” says Pamela. “He’ll say ‘Hey! Take a picture of me with Buddy!’” 

The Desmonds and Elton talk frequently throughout the year and occasionally see each other. They call each other on holidays and when exciting events occur in their lives. “Elton will call us when he performs well on a test or when he needs help with math. We’ll try to help him by making flashcards when he comes to visit and I think he really appreciates that,” Pamela said.

“This has been an amazing experience and I love how it’s taught my children to think of others and to welcome people into our home,” Pamela added. 

To learn more about how to become a host family in the Huntington area, contact Joan Giusto at 1-631-683-4010 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.

*Article submitted by the Fresh Air Fund.