Giving Kids a Summer Vacation

Every summer for more than 10 years, the Soffronoff family has been opening its home to inner-city children through the Fresh Air Fund.

The program gives children ages 6 to 12 an opportunity to experience a summer vacation.

“It’s been an eye-opener for my kids, for me, for the kids who come to visit,” said Theresa Soffronoff, who not only hosts children but also recruits area families to host children for the organization.

The Theresa Soffronoff became involved with the program after leaving her job to stay home with her children. While at the gym one day, she saw a poster about the program.

“It sounded like something good,” she said. “Thought it would be a benefit to show my kids not everybody is like you.”

The Soffronoffs moved to Moorestown five years ago and Theresa has set about recruiting families throughout the South Jersey area to host children. Last year, 11 children spent up to two weeks with host families in the South Jersey area.

“We’re slowly getting families,” she said.

The process, she said, is easy. Host families can pick an age range of the child they would like to host: 6 to 8; 9 to 10, or 11 to 12. Families also pick gender. The host family goes through an interview process and anybody over the age of 18 in the home goes through a background check. There is also a tour of the host family’s home to make sure it is a safe environment.

Children who participate in the fund are transported to and from New York City. There is a drop off at the Moorestown Mall. This year, there are two different times children will be brought to South Jersey. The first session is July 15-29; the second is Aug. 10-17.

“We got involved to make a difference in a child’s life,” said Kris Daglian, whose family began hosting a child three years ago. “I wanted to provide a positive experience and create a memory for a child that may not otherwise have a positive summer experience away from home. It turns out that the positive experience was for us.”

Hosting a child is easy, Soffronoff and Daglian said.

“Just relax,” Soffronoff said. “People think you have to do something everyday. But you can just ride bikes, go to the swim club. You don’t need to do fancy things. Camp in the backyard. Just good, old outdoor fun.”

“I would tell people ‘You are so fortunate to be living in a wonderful safe town and to have a place for your children to play,’ ” said Daglian. “We all have busy lives, but you can always spare a week for a child that is your child's age. The child you get will remember this time forever."

For more information about hosting a child, email Theresa Soffronoff at tcs_sahm@yahoo.com.