Fresh Air families host city children
HARMONY — Twelve New York City youths were greeted by smiling faces, colorful signs and welcoming gifts Thursday evening at the Grace Church of Harmony.
The children are visiting Western Pennsylvania as part of the Fresh Air Fund, which has given inner city New York youths the opportunity to explore different areas with host families. They will be living with families for a week as part of the program.
“It's a good learning experience for my kids, getting to experience another culture,” said Nicole Richards, a host family member.
Richards and her family of Slippery Rock are participating for the fourth year in a row.
“This year we have a new one (child),” Richards said. “The one we have had for the last three is going back to China to visit his family.”
The Richards residence will be home for 8-year-old Haley Chen from Brooklyn. This is his first time in the program.
“It feels great,” Haley said. “I want to play with the kids.”
Richards said the family will take Haley to the zoo, the Zelienople Fourth of July parade on Monday and Lake Arthur.
“It's a good opportunity for your kids to realize there's more to life than just them and sharing what they have with others,” she said.
Another veteran host family is the Zacherls. This the sixth year the Prospect family has been a host.
“These kids are just happy to be here,” Melissa Zacherl said. “It's once in a lifetime.”
The family is hosting 14-year-old Ashley Clarke for the fifth year. She is from the Bronx area.
“Now it just feels like they're family,” Ashley said. “I'm pretty comfortable coming here. There are more trees here.”The family will go to the Big Butler Fair during her time here.Daughter Lily Zacherl, 14, and son Seth Zacherl, 16, said having Ashley around is like having another sibling.“It's nice to have a friend around,” Lily said. “We usually talk at least once a month, if not more.”The three communicate via texting and social media during the year.First-time families were also at the church Thursday.The Rouxes from Cranberry Township said they wanted to participate after family matriarch Lisa Roux read an article in The Cranberry Eagle last year.“I was sold,” said Roux after reading the article. “I said, 'Yep, this is something we need to do.'”The family, which also consists of father Kevin Roux, daughter Olivia, 12, and daughter Sydney, 10, will host 9-year-old Melanie Quiroz from Brooklyn.“I'm very excited,” Melanie said. “I plan on having fun with my new family and go through new experiences.”This is Melanie's second year with the program.“It's much more sunny and quiet,” she said comparing this year to last. “It's very peaceful.”The family will do swimming, hiking and Fourth of July parades with Melanie.For information on the Fresh Air Fund, visit www.freshair.org.
