Welcome A City Child This Summer

With spring barely in the air as temperatures struggle into the 50s this week, Fresh Air Fund coordinator Marie Athans is already thinking about summer.

Interviews have begun for potential volunteers to welcome inner-city children into their homes for a visit this July and August.

She and other Fresh Air volunteers are “actively seeking families” again this year. Ms Athans is co-chair of Monroe Friendly Town, which organizes towns including Newtown and neighboring communities.

Older children from ages 11 or 12 are hardest to place, she said. “Many families are looking for younger children, and girls tend to be more popular than boys.” At age 13, the child must return to the same family in following years. Thinking of the older children, she said, “They are a little more independent.”

By the end of this month she should know exactly how many New York City children are hoping for a country vacation. “There are always more [children] than available families — that’s why we’re looking!”

Aside from residents willing to share their homes for a week this summer, she also is looking for help with hosting and arranging picnics for visiting children and host families, public relations work, and posting informational signs about the program. For information, contact Ms Athans at 203-426-7137 or the Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003.