Summertime is Fresh Air time for thousands of New York City children who visit volunteer host families in 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family Program. The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences  in the country to more than 1.7 million children since 1877. Volunteer host families open their hearts and homes to New York City children during the summer. Host families live in the suburbs, small towns, or rural areas, and wish to share the simple joys of their communities. Fresh Air children experience simple pleasures like running barefoot through the grass and gazing at star-filled skies. Through the eyes of Fresh Air children, families often rediscover the beauty of their own communities. For more information on how you can sign up to become a volunteer host this summer, please contact Mary Carroll at 978-975-4182 or The Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003. Additionally, you can find more information about The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.