Governor Proclaims Fresh Air Fund Day

By Kendra Bobowick

Summer vacation’s long days that end with damp beach towels and ice cream dripping down a toasted sugar cone is not always a reality for children from New York City. With brick apartment walls, and patched blacktop shaping their landscape, many children rely on the Fresh Air Fund to enjoy the summer months with vacations in towns including Newtown.

Governor M. Jodi Rell also turns her attention toward the nonprofit organization. She proclaimed March 20 as the Fresh Air Fund Day, “in recognition of the valuable summertime experiences” that the fund offers, also noting that the organization “provides free summer vacations to close to 10,000 New York City youngsters each summer.” The program enables the children to visit homes of families that volunteer to take them in for a week or two of country life.

The governor’s proclamation states, “New York City youngsters [can] enjoy Connecticut backyards, parks, and wide open spaces.”

Fresh Air Fund spokeswoman Kate Hoffman forwarded one press release acknowledging the governor’s proclamation, and expanded on the program’s importance to inner-city children. Those boys and girls will “escape the hot, noisy streets to enjoy the simple pleasures of fun in the country,” the release states.

As this year’s July and August vacation dates approach, the Fresh Air Fund is looking for families to welcome a child. “We are looking for host families in the Danbury area to give youngsters a summertime break from the sometimes dangerous city streets,” the release says. Dates are from July 7 to 21 and August 6 to 14. Donations to help support the program are also welcome.

Contact the Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003, extension 8890.

Interested residents can learn more at FreshAir.org, or call local contact Diana Simmons at 203-982-3999.