This was a busy and successful summer season for The Fresh Air Fund in the Butler area with the help of dedicated volunteers, hosts and supporters. Their commitment to helping New York City children is exemplary for all community members.

Fresh Air volunteers helped create another fun-filled summer. More than 4,000 children visited volunteer host families in rural, suburban and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

Our local volunteer leaders — many are also hosts — plan summer activities, publicize the program and interview prospective host families. Families find hosting so rewarding that more than 65 percent of all Fresh Air children are reinvited to visit the same host families year after year. First-time Fresh Air visitors are 6 to 12 years old and Fresh Air hosts range from young families to grandparents. The community’s willingness to give New York City children a chance to experience life here is truly special.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all of my host families who open their homes and hearts to the Fresh Air children. Experiencing our lives through the eyes of these children makes us thankful for what we have.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences 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, call me at 724-283-4656 or The Fresh Air Fund at 1-800-367-0003; or visit www.freshair.org.