Recent mild weather may have residents thinking of summer, and one special activity in particular - welcoming an inner city child into their homes. Governor Dannel P. Malloy has proclaimed March 20 as Fresh Air Day, "In recognition of The Fresh Air Fund's 140th summer of bringing together New York City children and volunteer host families in Connecticut."

This summer, The Fresh Air Fund will once again enable thousands of boys and girls to enjoy the simple joys of summertime fun in the country, a press release states.

Buses bringing children to Newtown and surrounding towns are scheduled to arrive at Christ The King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Road (at Tory Lane), this year. Trip dates are July 7-14 and July 28-August 4.

"There is currently no local volunteer for this area," said Hannah Beck, Fresh Air director of public relations. Resident Marie Athans, the longtime local chairperson and coordinator for host families, stepped down from the position last fall.

Newtown residents wishing to again host a child or to begin the process to host for the first time should contact Nicole Johnston at 212-897-8953 or njohnston@freshair.org.

According to the governor's release, "Families who participate in The Fresh Air Fund's Friendly Towns (host town) Program open their hearts and homes to New York City children in the summer."

Participants will be given the opportunity "to explore new environments, meet people from different cultures, and have enriching experiences," said Fatima Shama, executive director of The Fresh Air Fund. "On Fresh Air visits, children may visit a farm, milk a cow, engage in the arts, go swimming, learn about the wonders of the nighttime sky, and pick vegetables from a garden. Our participants discover and learn in an outdoor setting, building skills that can be utilized year-round, and unlock their limitless potential."

This year, the fund seeks new host families in the Southwest Coast to celebrate the 140th summer "and give children a chance to run barefoot through the grass or gaze at the star-filled skies," the release states.

Many Fresh Air children are invited to visit the same host families year after year. First-time Fresh Air visitors are 7 to 12 years old.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children since 1877. For more information about hosting this summer, contact Ms Johnston or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at freshair.org.