Town comes through for fresh air kids

National Volunteer Week is one of the highlights of the year for The Fresh Air Fund, and I would like to use this opportunity to extend my deepest thanks to our dedicated Fresh Air hosts, volunteers and supporters in the Jamestown area. They truly embody the meaning of the 2008 National Volunteer Week theme, "Volunteer to Change the World." Year after year, our volunteers demonstrate their commitment to helping New York City children by continuing the Fresh Air tradition in the community.

Our volunteers are our heroes. Caring Fresh Air host families open their homes and share the everyday joys of summertime with their Fresh Air guests. Our local volunteer leaders - many of whom are also hosts - give by serving on our local committees, planning summer activities, publicizing the program and interviewing prospective host families. I would also like to thank all individuals and businesses which have generously given their time and resources to make the Friendly Town host family program throughout this area a great success each and every summer.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children since 1877. For more information on how you can help to continue this wonderful tradition of volunteering, please call The Fresh Air Fund at 800-367- 0003 or visit www.freshair.org. Jenny Morgenthau Executive Director