Making Friends And Memories Through Fresh Air Program

By Kendra Bobowick

Eight-year-old Wendy’s hair beads clicked as she turned to look at friend Madeline Patrick’s watercolor.

Madeline didn’t really like her painting, however.

“You can’t say that!” Wendy said. “You have to love your art!”

She visited with the Patricks from August 5 through 13 from New York City as part of the Fresh Air Fund. Considering how she felt about her visit with Madeline, brothers Colin and Ryan, and parents Barbara and Sean, she said, “I didn’t really know what it would be like.” Thinking of her week of activity including artwork, making ice cream, caring for the family’s chickens, playing with their golden retriever, helping around the house, visiting Ferris Acres Creamery, swimming and playing in a lush backyard, she smiled. “There are no words for it.”

Hopping onto Barbara’s lap, Wendy rested her head on Barbara’s shoulder while Mr Patrick and the other children gathered for a photo. Wendy fit right in. The experience for Ms Patrick was “amazing, life changing,” she said. “This was a strangely good match.”

“She has such a strong personality,” said Mr Patrick. Although the girls did not sleep well as they adjusted for their first few days, Patrick and Wendy enjoyed their visit.

Minutes earlier the family sat around their patio table as the children talked.

Happy in her temporary home in Newtown, Wendy felt “awesome!” She loves the pool, soccer, the beach.

“Wendy, tell her where we went!” prodded Madeline. The girls had gone to see a movie.

“What else did you do,” Ms Patrick asked.

“We played basketball …” Wendy began.

“They stayed in the bathtub for hours,” laughed Mr Patrick as the girls had played one night.

“You had Art Day,” Ms Patrick reminded.

“That was just for the imagination,” Wendy observed.

Colin whispered something in Wendy’s ear.

“Oh yeah!” she said. “We had ice cream!

The children left the table to play with chickens the boys kept in the yard.

Hugging one rooster to her, Wendy put her cheek against the bird and Madeline joined her.

Ms Patrick watched the children saying, “Wendy is so appreciative. A lot of kids have everything they want, so that is exactly why we did this.”

A Visitor Returns

Kevin and Robin Fitzgerald also welcomed Devonte into their home for a visit. Having hosted him through the Fresh Air Fund before, they were glad to have him back.

Arriving last Thursday, August 5, he said, “Devonte is certainly taller!”

His children Hannah, 13, and Quinn, 10, were happy to see Devonte, 12.

“It seems like he never left, the way they get along,” Mr Fitzgerald said. Both Quinn and Hannah were involved in local productions that took place at the Edmond Town Hall, which Devonte attended with the Fitzgeralds. “We kidded him that he had to go to four shows with us!’ Mr Fitzgerald said.

Throughout the week they visited the beach, shopped for school supplies, and ran errands.

“Devonte liked running the tractor to cut the lawn. He doesn’t do that in New York City.”

He likes bike riding, Mr Fitzgerald said. “We keep a bike here for him.”

Regarding the Fresh Air program, he said, “It’s a wonderful opportunity to do new things.” The visits do not require a lot of preparation or special planning. Doing everyday things during the summer in Newtown is enough, Mr Fitzgerald said. “He was happy to be a part of it.”

He said, “It’s just one week; we wish it could be more.”