Fresh Air Fund kids team
up with their county hosts

HOLMDEL — During the summer, there is always a mass exodus of people leaving New York City to come to the Jersey Shore. This year’s group included 35 children who arrived by bus last week at Holmdel Park to meet their Fresh Air Fund hosts.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million children since 1877.

"I always love coming here; I have so much fun every summer," gushed Robert Garcia, a 12-year-old boy from the Bronx, N.Y., who has been staying with the same family in Little Silver every summer for the past six years.

Children are selected to participate in the summer program based on financial need.

"I had the opportunity to host a child this year since I am a first time homeowner. My husband suggested that we do this because I did this when I was a child," said Lorraine Harla of Neptune, who was at the park to welcome her summer guest.

"I grew up in Harlem, and during my two weeks in New Jersey, I learned to ride a bicycle. It was such a wonderful experience for me that I wanted to be able to share that with someone else," she said. The Harlas are the host family for a 9-year-old boy from Staten Island, N.Y.

The children chosen for the program range in age from 6 to 18. First-time participants are ages 6-12. Most of the older children are able to take the bus or train on their own to meet their host families.

Kristie Morris of Wall, who has been a Fresh Air Fund host and volunteer for 12 years, said at the drop-off site that her summer visitor would be arriving by train. "This is such a good program to be involved in," Morris said. "It makes me feel good to be able to help people in this way."

For further information about the Fresh Air Fund, check its Web site at www.freshair.org.

— Darlene Diebold