The Fresh Air Fund

The deadline to host is July 1st! More info here:http://www.freshair.org/host-a-child PC: Sally Bradley-Golding

Our 1st Fresh Air trips leave TOMORROW. Summer, we are ready! PC: Joan Barker, Kate Hess, Sandi Hughes & Tom Smith

2 DAYS until our first buses leave from Port Authority Bus Terminal!! PC: Joan Barker, Bill Richmond, & Goldenview Photography

Patricia Neri and William Schaepe, of Lenox, Massachusetts, will host 11-year old Kimani, of the Bronx, for the third time this summer. Kimani and William Schaepe have a morning routine of standing out on the porch together and feeding chipmunks in their yard. “It is a really fond, funny memory for me,” said Neri. “She came to us a bit afraid of animals, and is now excited to feed the animals out of her hand every morning. It is a great bonding time for her and Bill.” There's still time to sign up to host! More info: http://www.freshair.org/host-a-child

The Rhines family has hosted Brandon, 13, since 2013.  "When you see how thankful he is for every opportunity, it teaches my kids that we’re very lucky. He has taught my kids a lot in just appreciating life," says Debbie. There's still time to sign up to host! More info here: http://www.freshair.org/host-a-child

Shanaysha loves going to the park with her host family when she visits. Only 6 days until New York City children begin boarding buses for a life-changing summer experience! PC: Melody Martin

Only ONE WEEK to go until our first Fresh Air trips!! Summer awaits. PC: Joan Barker, Beth Fox & Julie Belnavis

During Citizenship Day at school, Andrew did his project on The Fresh Air Fund because his family has hosted Jose for three summers now! Andrew says, “The Fresh Air Fund is a great way to help kids see the country and experience life out of the city. I am always excited when Jose comes.” PC:  Sarah O’Connell 

Happy Father’s Day from our Fresh Air family to yours! PC: Kelly Anne Photography

We are so incredibly proud of all the amazing women who attended the final celebration for The Fresh Air Fund's Young Women's Giving Circle last week. During the event, the group discussed the many topics that they had researched and learned about, including mental health, physical health and self-care. They also played their own PSA which encapsulated the importance of all of these topics and presented to the non-profit of their choice to support: The Children's Aid Society in New York (specifically the Bronx Center for Health and their teen health educational programs). Congratulations everyone!

Aubrey and Abigail are excited to welcome their Fresh Air friend, Tatianna, each summer. Only 11 more days until hugs and ice cream! PC: Tina Higgins

Tuesday, May 24th, 16 students from the Career Awareness Program visited the Warner Music Group for one of the last job shadowings before the summer. The students learned about all the aspects of a professional recording studio, from microphones to noise-blocking curtains, and how one achieves that number one track. After looking around the studio, the students had the opportunity to make their own song: they played the drums, the piano, sang and rapped, leaving with their own track, “Starstruck”, and newfound knowledge of the behind-the-scenes process of some of the most popular songs today. Thank you for having us Warner Music Group!

Photo by Miki Bratu

Macungie, PA residents, the Remmel family, have a unique birthday gift tradition. Instead of receiving gifts, the Remmel children ask family and friends to donate to a charity or cause of their choice. This year for her eighth birthday, Grace Remmel decided to collect gift cards to donate to The Fresh Air Fund. The family had a great experience last summer hosting Fresh Air child Daniel through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program—so much so that it motivated Grace to want to contribute to The Fresh Air Fund in another way.

We are counting down to summer and giving thousands of New York City children an opportunity to experience summer outside of the city. Visit www.freshair.org to learn how you can participate in this life-changing experience this summer!  

On February 7th at the annual Friendly Towns Conference in New York City, Pamela Hubbard reunited with her former Fresh Air child, Corey, and his six year old son, Corey Jr. Corey visited the Hubbards for the first time in 1995 and has been in touch ever since. Corey is now in the Navy and will deploy soon to the Middle East. “It has been three and a half years since I have seen Corey and his son. It was wonderful reconnecting with him, and we had lots to talk about. He has matured so much over the last three years. I am very proud of him,” said Pamela.