This Father’s Day, we celebrate all the men in our lives and the many men in Central Vermont who take on the role of Fresh Air father, as they open their hearts to New York City children through the Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program for one to two weeks during the summer.
“Hosting has been a wonderful experience. It’s provided us with special memories and gives us something to look forward to every summer,” said Richard, a Fresh Air host father.
Each summer, thousands of children from New York City’s low-income communities visit volunteer host families in rural, suburban and small town communities along the East Coast and southern Canada. Fresh Air children are given the opportunity to experience a world outside of New York City, full of backyards to play in and lakes to swim in.
Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from 7- 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children who are re-invited by host families may continue with the Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips.
The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877.
For more information, visit freshair.org.
Photo courtesy of The Fresh Air Fund
Families welcome kids from N.Y.C. to experience Vermont summer.
