Fresh Air Fund Children Arrive in Foxborough

Twenty-two Fresh Air Fund children from New York City arrived in Foxborough Tuesday, July 5, to enjoy summer vacation with their volunteer host family.

Fresh Air Fund is a non-profit organization that has helped over 1.7 million New York City children enjoy free summer experiences since 1877, according to its web site. Each summer, thousands of New York City children from low-income neighborhoods visit volunteer host families in 13 Northeastern states and Canada. 

Volunteer host families to the children reside in Dighton, Westport, Rehoboth, Kingston, Swansea, Littleton, Lincoln, Riverside, Wrentham, Mashpee, Foxboro, Mansfield, South Easton, North Easton, Douglas, Providence, E Falmouth, Seekonk, Rumford, and Sharon. 

The Fresh Air Fund Southern Massachusetts Committee greeted the children, who range in age six to 18 years old. Some are leaving home and New York City for the first time, while others are returning to visit the same host families for consecutive summers.

"We are participating in our fourth year," said Foxborough resident Colleen Brightman. "It is a great experience and a lot of fun."

To learn more about the Fresh Air Fund or about hosting a child, visit the organization's Web site.