The Fresh Air Fund

PUBLIC SERVICE SUPPLEMENT DISCOVERING THEONE SUMMER WORLD, AT A TIME COME SUMMERTIME, THOUSANDS OF NEW YORK CITY CHILDREN HAVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT OF THE CITY; INSTEAD, MANY FACE ENDLESS DAYS OF NOISE, BOREDOM AND VIDEO GAMES. But this can change. For 139 years, The Fresh Air Fund has been sending youngsters from low-income communities to camp and to homes in the countryside, where they experience the joy of space, grass and trees; lakes, bonfires and starry nights; and special bonds with newfound friends. For these children, summer is transformed into something magical and memorable — and more than that, a whole new world opens up. TOP: Evan Sydnor (left) and his Fresh Air brother, Khalilou, of the Bronx, race through the waves during Khalilou’s most recent summer visit to Delaware. Fresh Air Fund volunteer host families say the simplest experiences have made the greatest impact on their Fresh Air children, and their own families benefit just as much from the program. Photo: Maria DeForrest CENTER: Fresh Air child Crisasia (lower left), of Brooklyn, and her host sister, Allison (lower right), learned this past summer that one of the best parts of the Fresh Air experience is making new friends. Photo: Kelly Valeri BOTTOM: Boys from Camp Tommy learn about the ecosystem of the lake and discover the different species that call it home. Photo: Joan Barker This public service supplement was written by Andrea Kahn, and did not involve the reporting or editing staff of The New York Times. © 2016 The New York Times PUBLIC SERVICE SUPPLEMENT AND THEY’RE OFF… AMID THRONGS OF HARRIED COMMUTERS STRIDING THROUGH THE PORT AUTHORITY BUS TERMINAL, A SMALL ISLAND OF EXUBERANT CHILDREN AND THEIR TEARY PARENTS VIBRATED WITH ANTICIPATION: SUMMER ADVENTURES WERE ONLY MOMENTS AWAY. osaiah, 10, fidgeted and kidded checking in, the youngsters hung their at her host family’s home in Ithaca with grass and fields, his host family’s with fellow travelers, talking information tags around their necks three years ago, she too was surprised backyard, which is almost a park. “My animatedly about his Fresh Air and slipped into a waiting area. Fresh by all the space; the change of scenery favorite thing is going around town and Fund host family in Scranton, Air Fund volunteers watched over the made her nervous. “It was isolated, and seeing houses, not apartments,” he said. Pa.: “They have two big dogs, Vi- children and kept them entertained so dark at night — the Bronx is always “And I love how quiet it gets at night.” Jking and Arly,” said the Queens resident. with temporary tattoos and games of bright, no matter what time it is,” she Tyrek’s mother, Gail Beckles, nodded in “We’re going fishing, and we’ll eat the jacks and Go Fish. Meanwhile, parents, said. But Suejona’s nervousness turned agreement. “I’m so happy he gets to ex- fish. And I’ll have some peace and quiet. cousins, aunts and uncles watched and to excitement when she saw a deer, perience something other than the busy In Queens, I always hear the neighbors waited for their final goodbyes. which she’d never seen outside the zoo. streets of New York,” she said. talking, and honking horns and sirens. Charlene Jones, who stood with her Indeed, Suejona had many new experi- Departure time finally arrived, As soon as the bus leaves, I feel a weight son, Damani, as he waited to embark ences: hiking, swimming in a lake and and the energy level among the chil- off my chest.” on his third Fresh Air Fund summer in wandering the local farmers market; dren shot up. Tenniel Hansen, a Fresh Josaiah was one of about 4,000 New Ithaca, N.Y., was sad to see him go — her host parents, who have no children, Air Fund host and chairperson for York City children between the ages of but happy that he’s getting this experi- taught her to bake bread and to play Rensselaer, N.Y., since 2004, began 7 and 18 who were on their way to vis- ence. Damani’s host mother is a college squash. Suejona became attached to corralling the children into an orga- it volunteer host families in suburban professor, his host sister is in medi- the family’s cat, Primo, and husky dog, nized line. The children, chattering with neighborhoods and rural communities cal school, and his host brothers are in Izzy, and especially to her host parents. excitement, each face bright with a along the East Coast, from North Caro- college. “They stress education, which “I don’t like being away from them for smile, gathered their bags and began lina to southern Canada. Children would I also feel strongly about,” said Jones, too long,” she said. moving toward the buses. “These sum- spend from a week to the whole sum- who just graduated from Lehman Col- Tyrek, 13, was heading to Greene, N.Y., mers do so much for these kids — a mer with their host families; some were lege. “The male bonding is also impor- near Albany, for his second summer. chance to ride a bike, walk in the woods, nervously awaiting their first visit, oth- tant, and it’s good to have positive role The differences between Brooklyn and have some quiet,” Hansen, said. “All you ers, like Josaiah, were returning to what models.” Greene are too numerous to count: the need is a big heart.” has become a second home. Twelve-year-old Damani, who wider roads, the empty space filled After five summers observing her son lives with his mother and sis- before and after his host family visit, Jo- ter in the Bronx, is just hap- saiah’s mother, Tonia Davis, has noticed py to play outside amid the difference. “He comes home more re- grass and trees, and to laxed,” she said. “He’s more mature, and revel in the open space. he gets along with new people and man- “Everything is so spread ages new and different situations better.” out,” he said. “You even The children and their families start- drive to the neighbors.” ed arriving at the terminal at 7 a.m. When 14-year-old for the first round of departures; after Suejona first arrived TOP: Suejona (left), 14, awaits the bus that will take her to visit her host family in Freeville, N.Y. Photo: Jerry Speier CENTER: Josaiah (right), 10, looks forward to returning to his host family’s home in Taylor, Pa.. Photo: Jerry Speier BOTTOM: Fresh Air children play cards while waiting for their buses to leave Port Authority. Photo: Jerry Speier PUBLIC SERVICE SUPPLEMENT PUBLIC SERVICE SUPPLEMENT TOP: On Feb. 7, Patty LeRoy accepted an award for her 50 years of volunteering with The Fresh Air Fund. Patty has served as a volunteer host parent every summer since 1967, and recruits host families in her area as a volunteer leader. Photo: Jerry Speier BOTTOM: Even though Andre (center), 12, has been visiting his host family in Delaware for six summers, he is still elated every time he gets to go to the beach. Photo: Tiffany Caldwell Photography ceeded,” she said. The fact that the children came from different backgrounds and looked different meant nothing. “My parents taught us not to see col- or,” she said. “They taught us that these children are just like us — they just live in taller buildings, and they have the 50 YEARS AND COUNTING opportunity to take buses, trains, and taxis, and we don’t. Without coming out and saying it, they taught us to appreci- FIFTY YEARS AGO, CLARENCE “SCOOTER” LEROY HAPPENED UPON A SMALL ate what we had.” One of Barkman’s Fresh Air sisters ARTICLE IN HIS LOCAL PAPER THAT PIQUED HIS INTEREST: A PROGRAM over many summers was Donnalese Donaldson-Robinson, who began com- OFFERING NEW YORK CITY KIDS A SUMMER BREAK FROM URBAN LIFE WAS ing to the LeRoys when she was 10. Now 46, Donaldson-Robinson speaks LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER HOST FAMILIES. LEROY AND HIS WIFE, PATTY, HAD to Barkman regularly. “I have the best memories,” said Donaldson-Robinson, a JUST BOUGHT A HOME ON A HALF-ACRE PROPERTY IN BALLSTON SPA, A RURAL charter-school teacher. “I loved running around outside barefoot, and being free. VILLAGE IN SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y., FILLED WITH FARMS AND OPEN SPACES. The LeRoys’ home was a great place for a kid to be in the summer.” Indeed, not IT WAS A PERFECT PLACE, HE THOUGHT, FOR A CHILD TO GET AWAY FROM THE only did the LeRoys have a surplus of love, they also had their own ice cream BUSTLING STREETS OF NEW YORK CITY. THEIR BOXES WERE NOT YET UNPACKED, truck — arguably every child’s dream. The girls would spend the night in the THEIR SECOND CHILD WAS ON THE WAY, BUT THE LEROYS COULDN’T WAIT. truck, sneaking ice cream, until Bark- man’s mischievous older brother, pre- tending to be a monster, spooked them hen 7-year-old Marilyn ar- colorful letters, along with her phone The LeRoys’ youngest daughter, Tri- back inside. “The LeRoys opened their rived from Harlem, her hair number, in case a potential host drives cia Barkman — now 45 with four chil- home and heart to me, and I’m blessed,” neatly braided, clutching a by and gets inspired. “I cherish these children of her own — can’t remember a Donaldson-Robinson said. “Patty will al- small suitcase, it’s hard to dren, and I’m so grateful that I’ve had the time when her family didn’t host Fresh ways be my mom — I can count on her.” say who was more nervous.

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