Summer 2010 has started and The Fresh Air Fund is in need of host families.

The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency, which has so far provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.

“We also just received a tremendous offer by a very generous donor.” Sara Wilson of FreshAir.org, said, “Any gift given from now until the end of June will be matched dollar-for-dollar.”

In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes for up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations.

“Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.” Wilson said.

Click here to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003!