A program that brings New York City children to the suburban splendor of New Jersey for a week of summer fun is seeking new host families for 2011.
The Fresh Air Fund has been giving inner-city children the joy of a summer vacation with volunteer host families and at Fresh Air Fund camps since 1877, according to the organization’s Internet website.
Karen Medlin, is the Fresh Air Fund’s chairwoman for the Monmouth County region. Medlin, a Marlboro resident, has been a host for the program for more than 10 years.
Children sponsored by the Fresh Air Fund will be coming to Monmouth County to visit from July 14-21. The children are between the ages of 6 and 12.
Medlin said the program welcomes participation from all people who are willing to host a child, including single parents, empty-nesters and same sex partners.
“It can be anyone who wants to have a child make memories that will really last them forever,” she said.
As the Fresh Air Fund’s area chairwoman, Medlin is seeking hosts from around Monmouth County. Applicant host families will be interviewed by Medlin and have a say in the age and gender of the child they will welcome into their home.
Hosts of the FreshAir Fund children are welcome to incorporate the child into their typical daily life. Medlin said it is not necessary for a host to plan special events every day for the visiting child.
“The week is yours,” she said.
Medlin said that when she has served as a host, she asked the visiting children to follow the same rules her children did. She said great friendships were formed. Some of the Fresh Air Fund children she has hosted have visited her home outside of the summer months.
She said the smallest things that some people may take for granted are exciting and new to the youngsters from New York City. Medlin said some children have never seen the stars shine bright or heard the peaceful quiet sounds of a summer night.
This summer Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson is donating a day of fun at Hurricane Harbor water park for Monmouth County host families and the visiting children, Medlin said.
She said that when she started hosting children through the Fresh Air Fund there were fewer than 10 children from New York City coming to Monmouth County.
During the past 10 years the program has grown and last summer 47 children visited the Monmouth County area.
Anyone who is interested in hosting a Fresh Air Fund child may contact Karen Medlin at 732-740-0449 or email her at [email protected].