Chenango family reaches out to Fresh Air Fund child
NORWICH – Amy and Rich Winton first heard about the Fresh Air Fund from a local newspaper. The organization’s goal, to allow children from New York City to enjoy a summer vacation in the country, caught their attention.
“I think living up here we sometimes take for granted everything we have,” said Amy Winton. “It sounded like a good program and a good way to open our home to those who are less fortunate.”
The Fresh Air Fund is a not-for-profit organization that brings more than 5,000 children from New York City to host families in 13 Northeastern states and Canada.
The organization has 305 “Friendly Towns,” where children live with host families. The Fund works with social work programs, community organizations and schools in the city to register children.
The Fund pays for the child’s travel expenses, screens and picks host families, and sometimes organizes group activities.
“The children really become a part of your family,” said Winton, who has two children of her own. “It’s not just opening your home to a guest. It’s opening your family and your heart.”
The Winton family first hosted Karry in the summer of 2008, when she was 10 years old. She stayed for two weeks, the standard visit time for children participating in the program the first time.
“She just really meshed with our family,” Winton said.
The Wintons invited Karry back for Christmas that same year, and every summer after that.
Winton said she loves watching Karry experience summer in the country.
“In my childhood, I never didn’t have grass or was worried for my safety when I went out to play,” she said. “I’m glad to be able to give that experience to Karry.”
Angie Pender-Fox, Director of the Friendly Town Program for the Fresh Air Fund, said host families are the most important part of making the child’s experience a good one.
“Our host families are the most generous, because they donate their time,” said Pender-Fox. “It’s because of them that the children are able to get out of the city and experience something new.”
Winton said she doesn’t mind donating her time and people should understand that hosting a child does not require a large financial commitment.
“It’s not really about going out and doing new and exciting things,” she said. “You can stay close to home.”
Sometimes they plan larger trips, like a tour of Amish country in Pennsylvania and a show at the Millenium Theatre, Winton said. But for the most part, the Wintons take Karry camping, swimming and on picnics.
Pender-Fox explained that host families sometimes think the expense of hosting a child will be too great. Especially because of the recession, she said, the Fund is in need of families.
“It’s really about the simple things, like swimming, biking, playing outside,” said Pender-Fox. “It does not have to be expensive activities.”
Karry, now 13, is participating in a summer program to transition into high school and may not be able to join the Wintons this year. This may mean a new child for the Wintons to host.
“We’re sad we won’t be seeing Karry,” said Winton, “but we’re excited about a new kid.”
Winton said she thinks what the Fresh Air Fund does is wonderful.
“I think it gives kids opportunities that they wouldn’t usually get,” she said.
For more information about the Fresh Air Fund, visit freshair.org.
“I think living up here we sometimes take for granted everything we have,” said Amy Winton. “It sounded like a good program and a good way to open our home to those who are less fortunate.”
The Fresh Air Fund is a not-for-profit organization that brings more than 5,000 children from New York City to host families in 13 Northeastern states and Canada.
The organization has 305 “Friendly Towns,” where children live with host families. The Fund works with social work programs, community organizations and schools in the city to register children.
The Fund pays for the child’s travel expenses, screens and picks host families, and sometimes organizes group activities.
“The children really become a part of your family,” said Winton, who has two children of her own. “It’s not just opening your home to a guest. It’s opening your family and your heart.”
The Winton family first hosted Karry in the summer of 2008, when she was 10 years old. She stayed for two weeks, the standard visit time for children participating in the program the first time.
“She just really meshed with our family,” Winton said.
The Wintons invited Karry back for Christmas that same year, and every summer after that.
Winton said she loves watching Karry experience summer in the country.
“In my childhood, I never didn’t have grass or was worried for my safety when I went out to play,” she said. “I’m glad to be able to give that experience to Karry.”
Angie Pender-Fox, Director of the Friendly Town Program for the Fresh Air Fund, said host families are the most important part of making the child’s experience a good one.
“Our host families are the most generous, because they donate their time,” said Pender-Fox. “It’s because of them that the children are able to get out of the city and experience something new.”
Winton said she doesn’t mind donating her time and people should understand that hosting a child does not require a large financial commitment.
“It’s not really about going out and doing new and exciting things,” she said. “You can stay close to home.”
Sometimes they plan larger trips, like a tour of Amish country in Pennsylvania and a show at the Millenium Theatre, Winton said. But for the most part, the Wintons take Karry camping, swimming and on picnics.
Pender-Fox explained that host families sometimes think the expense of hosting a child will be too great. Especially because of the recession, she said, the Fund is in need of families.
“It’s really about the simple things, like swimming, biking, playing outside,” said Pender-Fox. “It does not have to be expensive activities.”
Karry, now 13, is participating in a summer program to transition into high school and may not be able to join the Wintons this year. This may mean a new child for the Wintons to host.
“We’re sad we won’t be seeing Karry,” said Winton, “but we’re excited about a new kid.”
Winton said she thinks what the Fresh Air Fund does is wonderful.
“I think it gives kids opportunities that they wouldn’t usually get,” she said.
For more information about the Fresh Air Fund, visit freshair.org.
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