When summer arrives this year, Fresh Air children from New York City will
once again visit volunteer host families in the Batavia area, some for the
first time and some reuniting with long-time host.
Kate Bogan, of Bergen, whose family first hosted through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Town program when she was a child, will be an instrumental part of this summer’s success. As a local Fresh Air chairperson, Bogan works hard to recruit hosts so that as many children as possible can enjoy a memorable experience.
The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency, which has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877.
Volunteer host families in suburban and small town communities in 13 Northeastern states and Canada open their homes for up to two weeks to Fresh Air children through the Friendly Town program, allowing them to enjoy many first-time experiences, such as swimming or running barefoot through the grass.
Kate was 5 years old when her parents first signed up to be Fresh Air Fund hosts, and her life was changed because of it. When Lauren Grady, who is similar in age to Kate, showed up that first summer, it was clear that each girl had found a new best friend. Their summers were filled with trips to the drive-in movie theatre (a completely new concept to Lauren), Letchworth State Park, local festivals and parades.
Perhaps most memorable were evening cooking lessons with Kate’s grandmother. After Lauren stopped visiting each summer when she became older, the girls lost touch. But thanks to e-mail when they were in college, it became easier to stay connected and they’ve been close again ever since.
This past summer, Kate, along with her husband and son, hosted a Fresh Air child for the first time together, and they look forward to continuing the tradition again this coming summer!
If you are interested in becoming a Fresh Air Fund host in 2011, please call Kate Bogan at 716-560-2847 or 800-367-0003. You can also visit the fund Web site at www.freshair.org to learn more. Open your heart and your home to a Fresh Air child this summer!
Thank you so much for posting
Thank you so much for posting this. We are really trying to get the word out about a wonderful organization that is rewarding for both the Fresh Air Child and the Host Family. Thank you again.