JULY 13, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JULY 13, 2015, 10:58 AM
BY MATT SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A bus pulled into the parking lot of the village’s First Presbyterian Church earlier this month, carrying some precious cargo: A group of New York City-area children, being brought into the suburbs for two weeks of enjoyment with a host family.
The visit is organized by the Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit organization that was founded with the purpose of getting children out of low-income city areas and into the fresh, open air for a few weeks.
The families open their homes to, in many cases, a complete stranger.
Many of the host families were excited for their young charges to arrive, already thinking ahead to the bevy of fun activities they planned.
“We’re doing a softball camp together, and then we’re going to watch the fireworks, watch the Fourth of July parade together,” said Charlotte Reis, whose family welcomed Kaleigh Joseph of Jamaica, Queens, into their home. Charlotte’s mother, Kim Reis, added that they would probably go swimming as well.
Alicia Joel, who is hosting for the first time, said that the family was looking for fun volunteer activities to do as a group.
“Our son is 15 and we were looking for volunteer activities for him this summer,” she said, adding that she “was looking up different things” and decided that hosting someone “would be a great opportunity that we could all do together as a family.”
Soon they won’t have to be bussed in….they’ll live here on your subsidy
https://thehill.com/regulation/244620-obamas-bid-to-diversify-wealthy-neighborhoods