A Breath of Fresh Air

Amongst all the insanity that is my life right now, I have been reminded of my immense blessings. One of those blessings came in my childhood. I am from Texas, home of wide-open spaces. I always had a backyard and enjoyed many summers at my grandparents' beach and lake houses.Even for my children who live in an apartment, they are a 30 minute drive from countryside in any direction. Their neighborhood is safe and parks surround us. In other words, fresh air is readily available. But this is not true for all children. Many a child lives in the inner-city surrounded by tall buildings and pavement. And many a child would like to see a patch of world beyond those streets and shadows.Now I love the city. Bustling with life and a rhythm all its own, the city offers many wonders. But it doesn't replace the vastness of wide-open spaces spaces and beauty of unbroken blue sky. Or to say(or sing) it more eloquently...O beautiful for spacious skies,For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majestiesAbove the fruited plain!America! America!God shed his grace on theeAnd too often, parts of the city hold dangers for children. But an escape from those sometimes desperate cityscapes is beyond the economic means of many a child.But in Manhattan, there is an organization that helps. An organization that provides that breath of Fresh Air to these children. The Fresh Air Fund matches children from low-income neighborhoods with host families who live in surrounding rural or suburban areas for two week vacations in the summer. And I was honored when they contacted me to help spread the word on their mission.So now you know what Fresh Air is, but who is Fresh Air?To start I have in-laws from New York that personally benefited in the '60s and '70's from this very program. They have told me stories of their time at farms upstate and how wonderful it was when the host families invited them back (which happens 65% of the time).But who is a Fresh Air kid today?"Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 12 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city."And who can be a host family?"There is no such thing as a "typical" host family.  If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too."Now I hope that I have done my job and let you know the who, what, where, and when of Fresh Air.  So, here comes the "how". How can we help?  Because whether you are city folk or country fried, I think we can all agree that every child deserves a little fresh air and fun in the sun.Here's how:1. First, you can comment here. Much like my support of Heifer International, I am pledging a $1.00 for each comment here.2. Secondly, you can link below to their site and donate directly. If you are looking for an end of year tax-deductible donation, this would be a worthwhile destination for your money.3. Spread the word. This organization thrives on volunteers, hosts, and donations. The more who know, the more who are helped.So, tonight I am honored and thankful for to support Fresh Air Fund.