Carrying a balloon and wearing a wide grin was Lia Spremulo of Newtown. Written on her balloon was the message: “Welcome Back Kayla!” Lia and her mother, Cayanne Benore, for the third year are welcoming Kayla for a week-long visit through the Fresh Air Fund.

While waiting for the bus to arrive, July 29, at Christ The King Lutheran Church with Kayla and other children from New York City, Lia and her mother met Angela and Abigail Matera of Trumbull. They are hosting a Fresh Air child for the first time this year, Ms Matera said. Abigail has already written a list of activities that she and her visitor, Elle, can do this week. Holding a balloon that says, “Welcome,” Abigail also had a sign reading, “Hey Elle! Are you ready for the best week ever!”

The air-conditioned bus arrived in town shortly past 4 pm, where families waited in the nearly 90-degree weather for their guests to arrive.

Also waiting for a young lady named Elle were Emily Stone, David Nelson, and Fiona and Gavin Crehan. Joining them were three young boys and Newtown residents Dylan, Jackson, and Evan Antal, who came to greet Elle with their cousins, Gavin and Fiona.

According to freshair.org, “Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided life-changing summer experiences for children from New York City’s underserved communities. Each year, thousands of children experience outdoor summer adventures through visits with volunteer host families and at The Fund’s sleepaway camps in upstate New York. Fresh Air children also participate in academic enrichment and leadership programs throughout the school year.”