[LisaMc46]

Consider sponsoring a Fresh Air Fund child this summer. The Fresh Air Fund sends thousands of underprivledged NYC kids to Vermont and other rural each summer for a two-week vacation. For many kids, it's the only time they can safely play outside all year.

My family and I have been sponsoring the same little girl for the past two summers and it has been a great experience. We've definately gained as much from her visit as she has.

Today I received a letter from the fund saying they have a shortage of volunteers so I thought I'd spread the word on this board.

All you need is an extra bed. The child can share a room with your children. You don't have to take the child to any expensive places/activities. We'll usually plan a few fun daytrips, but our child spends most of her time hanging out with our kids, playing outside, going to the lake, riding bikes, etc. She gets excited about little things like the town Fourth of July parade and picking a dinner salad from our garden.

You can choose the age and sex of the child you want to sponsor.

The kids arrive in certain "friendly towns" by bus and you have to meet the bus when it arrives and drop off the child with a bag lunch when it departs for NYC.

Based on the posts I've read on this board, there are a lot of people who love kids and the outdoors and would make great sponsors. The toll-free number for the Fresh Air Fund is 1-800-367-0003. The Web site is www.freshair.org if you want more info. Feel free to send me a direct message, too.

[vter]

We plan to do this when our DD is a few years older. It's a great program.

[7 Wishes]

I thought they only send kids to upstate NY. I'm glad they also send them to your equally (if not more) beautiful state! Kudos to you.

[atypicalLIer]

They are sent out on LI, too. Some of the local wealthy families take in FAF children. It's sort of a status thing -- like Madonna adopting a Malawi child -- except they get to send them home. They pat themselves on the back and let the nannies do the rest.

Kudos to the kind-hearted who do this out of the goodness of their hearts.

[tkln]

Do you have to have children of your own to do this?

[LisaMc46]

Originally Posted by tkln

Do you have to have children of your own to do this?

You don't need children of your own to be a sponsor. There are quite a few retired couples who do it, including an old dairy farmer near us who also sponsors a annual get-together for local Fresh Air sponsors and their kids on her farm.

Some of the older folks will enroll their kids in a local day camp or town recreation program for a few days so they can meet kids their age. Others just keep the kids busy as they do their every day chores and activities. The kids aren't picky, in my experience anyway. They're just happy to be outside catching frogs, running barefoot and doing things we often take for granted.

[JM1822]

When I lived in Northern NY, my family was actively involved in the fresh air fund. It's a wonderful program.

***WARNING*** stop reading now if you can't handle long, boring stories!

When I was 5 or 6 years old, we "got" a Fresh Air kid from New York City. He came from a broken home and his single mother had two other kids. His father had left them and only talked to his kids once every couple years.

Anyway, "Harry" came up every year for two weeks. He spent the other 50 weeks of the year looking forward to it. We played outside, spent lots of time at the local dairy farm, went swimming, and did all the other things that country kids take for granted. One of his favorite things to do was to go out at night and look at the stars. That's not easy to do in NYC. He came every year until he was about 16. Over the years I had lost touch with him.

Last year, my wife and I were discussing him. The next day, my phone rang and it was him. It was great to hear from him again. His father had died, his mother was addicted to drugs, and his siblings had kids when they were 15 years old and obviously were living off of public assistance. Harry, on the other hand, is now married, owns his own home, and has a wonderful family. He is also an engineer at a great company. One of the best feelings I have ever had was when he told me that it was MY family that contributed to his desire to escape the city and have a better life. He told me that if it weren't for my family taking care of him each summer, he wouldn't have known anything except inner city NY, and he would probably still be there today.

If you are able to do it, please do. You might not realize the profound effect you are having on that child, but you might find out someday, just like I did.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by JM1822

He told me that if it weren't for my family taking care of him each summer, he wouldn't have known anything except inner city NY, and he would probably still be there today.

This is anything but boring. It's inspiring and gives me chills.

Thank you for reminding me that some of the things that are fun and easy for us to do (as well as the difficult/challenging ones) can make a huge difference in the lives of others for years to come.

[tkln]

That is an awesome story!

Lisa - while we were hoping to move by the end of the summer, our plans have been postponed temporarily. However, I'll definitely keep this in mind for when we do make the move...would love to participate. Thank you for bringing it up.

[7 Wishes]

Originally Posted by JM1822

When I lived in Northern NY, my family was actively involved in the fresh air fund. It's a wonderful program.

***WARNING*** stop reading now if you can't handle long, boring stories!

When I was 5 or 6 years old, we "got" a Fresh Air kid from New York City. He came from a broken home and his single mother had two other kids. His father had left them and only talked to his kids once every couple years.

Anyway, "Harry" came up every year for two weeks. He spent the other 50 weeks of the year looking forward to it. We played outside, spent lots of time at the local dairy farm, went swimming, and did all the other things that country kids take for granted. One of his favorite things to do was to go out at night and look at the stars. That's not easy to do in NYC. He came every year until he was about 16. Over the years I had lost touch with him.

Last year, my wife and I were discussing him. The next day, my phone rang and it was him. It was great to hear from him again. His father had died, his mother was addicted to drugs, and his siblings had kids when they were 15 years old and obviously were living off of public assistance. Harry, on the other hand, is now married, owns his own home, and has a wonderful family. He is also an engineer at a great company. One of the best feelings I have ever had was when he told me that it was MY family that contributed to his desire to escape the city and have a better life. He told me that if it weren't for my family taking care of him each summer, he wouldn't have known anything except inner city NY, and he would probably still be there today.

If you are able to do it, please do. You might not realize the profound effect you are having on that child, but you might find out someday, just like I did.

I loved that story, thanks for sharing!