Fresh Air Children Seeking Vacations In Newtown

By Kendra Bobowick

“Newtown isn’t doing very well,” said Marie Athans, area chairperson for the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit organization that promotes summer vacations for inner city children. She is still hoping for residents — single or families and with or without children — to sign up and welcome a child this summer. “Children are still looking for vacations,” she said. “We always have more children than host homes; I feel so bad.” Although the fund may be able to send children to fresh air camps, she said, “It’s nothing like coming to Newtown to get away.”

The visit does not require a large investment. She asks that families simply share their home for about a week. “Share your summer experience to show an inner city child a different view,” she said. “Just give a child a nice vacation out of the inner city.”

A summer day in Newtown could offer much more than a child would otherwise find. Ms Athans ran down a list of activities that could offer something new to a child: biking, swimming, playing in the grass, taking a walk, playing with a family pet, picking wild flowers, going for a hike through the woods, catching butterflies. She said, “These are things they don’t have an opportunity to do.” Anticipating a return visit from a child she has hosted in the past, Ms Athans said, “I put in a butterfly bush and I have the net…”

Still available are vacation dates of August 1–8 and August 4–11. An interview period for prospective families is open through mid-July. “We really need families. There is no requirement. Could have children or no children, just offer a good time.”

Contact Marie Athans at 203-426-7137, or the Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003. Learn more on the website at FreshAir.org. Host home owners will receive a short visit and interview. Three references are requested.

Can’t do August? Ms Athans asks, contact Fresh Air now to get on a list for next summer. “Maybe we can start building a group for next year,” she said.