Nonprofit organization brings New York City children to suburban and country homes for two weeks or more during the summer
By: Matthew Armstrong
Years ago, Robert and Debra Butler and their son, Cory, lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. Though they enjoyed living in the big city, they knew that city life was limited, especially for their son, and especially in the hot summer.
So they found out about a program that would take Cory out of the city for two weeks and let him experience summer the way it was meant to be: swimming, biking, playing in the park and enjoying the smells of cut grass and chlorine.
The program was the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit organization which brings New York City children between the ages of 6 and 12 to suburban and country homes for two weeks or more during the summer. For three consecutive summers, Cory visited the same family.
Now, Cory has gone away to college and Debra and Robert reside in South Brunswick with their 4-year-old daughter, and this summer, they are hosting 8-year-old Tavarez Civers from New York City. They have taken him to water parks, picnics, carnivals and bike rides during the past week.
"I felt it would be nice since my son benefited from it," said Mr. Butler, who took two weeks off from work to entertain Tavarez. "I have a 4-year-old and so the two of them have been playing together a lot. They’ve been very busy."
Beth Sears, the volunteer chairperson of the Middlesex County Fresh Air Committee, got the word out in the spring to encourage people to host inner-city children. Of the 12 Middlesex County hosts, seven live in South Brunswick.
Ms. Sears also is host to two children. Felicia, 10, is spending her third summer at the Sears’ house, and Dara, 7, is back after spending two weeks last year here.
"The point of the program is just to get them outside, play in the backyard and jump in the pool," said Ms. Sears. "Normal things that some of us take for granted, but that they never experienced.
"Being able to swim every day is great for them and sometimes that’s all they want to do."
Ms. Sears said she thinks the program is rewarding for both the children and the hosts.
"If you’re willing to put yourself out there, you end up meeting a lot of great kids and have a good time and next summer you look forward to having that child back to your house," she said.
Mr. Butler already is looking forward to next year’s visit from Tavarez.
"This year I just dropped things on the job to take time off," he said. "But next year I will take two weeks off and take him and my daughter to Disney World."