Here’s an opportunity to share the beauty of the Lakes Area community with others less fortunate: Volunteer for The Fresh Air Fund and host an inner-city child.

This summer, join thousands of volunteer host families in 13 northeastern states and Canada as they open their hearts and homes to New York City children from underprivileged communities through The Fund’s Friendly Town program.

The Friendly Town program allows youngsters from New York City to experience simple summer pleasures like skipping rocks across a lake, smelling newly cut grass and making new suburban and country friends.

A Fresh Air host parent explains why her family participates, “Something as simple as swinging on a swing without shoes made our Fresh Air child happy down to his core. Right then and there I remember thinking how much my family and I take for granted.”

Imagine summertime without swimming in a pool, playing in the backyard, or gazing at the stars. Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided more than 1.7 million inner-city children with the opportunity to enjoy these simple pleasures. You can help us give the gift of simple summertime pleasures to more New York City children by volunteering to host for The Fresh Air Fund.

In 2007, The Fund celebrates its 131st anniversary of serving children with a wide variety of special events and volunteer opportunities. For more information on how you can make summer special for a Fresh Air child, contact Lisa Clement at (207) 878-1998, or The Fresh Air Fund at (800) 367-0003. You can also learn more about the Friendly Town program by visiting The Fund’s Web site at www.freshair.org.