Joann Calvanico of Colts Neck, New Jersey, learned about The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program through a story in her local paper. After reading the story, she knew the program would be a great way for her to give back to the community and give her daughter Julia the opportunity to make a new friend. Joann signed her family up for the host family program in 2012. That year, Tati, of the Bronx, came to visit the Calvanicos and it sparked an everlasting friendship for the whole family.
The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income neighborhoods since 1877. Each summer, over 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural, and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program.
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“When Tati visits she’s up for anything. She’s very enthusiastic,” said Joann. The Calvanicos and Tati love playing in the yard, painting seashells, walking the dogs, and barbecuing. They have also gone to the Manasquan beach and Thundering Surf Water Park in Long Beach Island.
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One of the family’s favorite day trips is to Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant. The first summer the Calvanicos brought Tati here Julia grabbed her hand and they ran down the boardwalk together. “It was like they had known each other forever,” explained Joann. Peter, Joann’s husband, was touched and immediately knew that hosting Tati was a great decision. Joann’s older daughter Sarah and Julia also love Tati’s visits. Joann said, “It’s like she’s always been here.”
This summer, the Calvanicos are looking forward to lighting paper lanterns in the backyard, going to Sahara Sam’s Oasis, and revisiting their traditional summer activities. From Joann’s experience hosting she has learned, “If you just open your home and your heart to these children, in a week they give you more than you could have ever imagined.”
The Fresh Air Fund is always seeking host families to enable as many New York City children as possible to benefit from a summer experience outside of the city. To learn more about how to become a host family in the Monmouth County area, please call Karen Medlin at 732-740-0449 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.
