BRATTLEBORO — Last week, kids from the five boroughs of New York City came to Brattleboro to participate in the Fresh Air Fund.
Celebrating its 135th year, the Fresh Air Fund is an opportunity for disadvantaged kids to experience life outside of the city.
“The Fund is a private organization that began in 1877 by pastor to give kids from boroughs of New York the experience of the country,' explained Tom Kosiba, the Windham region coordinator. “It was started with an interest in providing diversified encounters to not only the children from the city, but the families involved as well.”
The program runs from late June to early August. By the end of the summer, more than 1,000 kids will participate in the program. But for every child who participates, there is another who is left out.
“I hear stories every year of children who wait by the buses in hopes that another child wasn't able to make it and they may be able to participate,” Kosiba said. “About 12 years ago, the Brattleboro area, which stretches from Wilmington to Hinsdale, N.H., was very active. We had about 30 families participating. This year, we have 10.”
In 135 years, the Fresh Air Fund has grown to encompass areas as far south as Virginia to as far north as Canada. Its growth is attributed to advances in transportation and a slow, but steady, word-of-mouth means of publicity. However, the current recession's impact appears to be stunting this growth.
“We don't have the means to host a child for the whole year, but this is a way to still have someone come in and help them,” said Lisa Carrier of Hinsdale. “The program is only a week-and-a-half, so it works out really well.”
Lisa, and her husband Kevin, along with a number of other families, see the Fresh Air Fund as a means for mutual growth between the children and their host families.
Wanda Walkowiak of Whitingham said her family have hosted the same girl for a number of years.
“Having Lenay up here with us gives an opportunity for my kids to have a nice friendship with someone outside of this area,” she said. “We have a lot to offer and really like including her. This program is something our kids have started to enjoy about the summer. This will be the fifth year with Lenay. We just have a blast every time. Since she has been up here so many times, she is really getting comfortable with the area and is able to do more.”
As families grow more comfortable with their temporarily-adoptive child, they often take their relationship beyond the Fresh Air Fund.
Tim Hayes and Pam Bullock of Newfane have hosted Kreshee for six years now.
“We had heard about the program for a while, but we finally started doing it when our daughter was old enough to benefit from the experience,” said Bullock.
“We have Kreeshee for a week-and-a half, but after the program is finished, we like to do something a little different,” she continued. “Instead of putting her back on the bus, we drive Kreeshee home ourselves. This allows us to spend more time with her and visit her family, as well. We even visited her family over the winter. We have grown pretty close with them.”
Bullock describes how emotional this can be for everyone involved.
“It's very moving to see [the children] getting off the bus for the first time. Some of the newcomers can be scared, but the ones who have done this before have huge smiles on their faces. It's very moving.”
Local families interested in hosting Fresh Air kids next summer may contact Kosiba at 802-282-9933.