The appeal of the Fresh Air Fund

To the editor: Each year, families and individuals in Orange County make summer special for inner-city children from New York City as volunteers for The Fresh Air Fund. As National Volunteer Week (April 23-29) approaches, I would like to give my deepest thanks to our Fresh Air heroes: dedicated hosts, volunteers and supporters. Year after year, they demonstrate their compassion and concern for the well-being of others by their commitment to New York City children from low-income neighborhoods. Our caring Fresh Air host families open their homes and share the everyday joys of summertime with their Fresh Air guests. Our local volunteer leaders - many of whom are also hosts - give by serving on our local Friendly Town Committee, planning summer activities, raising funds for special events, publicizing the program and interviewing prospective host families. I would also like to thank all individuals and businesses which have generously given their time and resources to make the Friendly Town program throughout this area a great success each summer. The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children since 1877. For more information on how you can help to continue this wonderful tradition of volunteering, please call Nicole Zahour at 212-897-8908 or The Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003. Sincerely, Amanda Cortese Director of Public Relations The Fresh Air Fund