Help inner-city children enjoy summer in the country

I received a special request from Sara Wilson of The Fresh Air Fund in New York City asking me to help by promoting it on my blog, which I'm very pleased to do.

Sara notes that "The Fresh Air Fund is looking for runners and sponsors to join our Fresh Air Fund-Racers team for the NYC Half-Marathon on August 16th. Last summer's NYC Half-Marathon was a huge success and the Fresh Air Fund-Racers raised more than $125,000. We are also still in need of Friendly Town hosts for next month. Host families open their hearts and home to a NYC child who would not otherwise have the opportunity to escape the hot, crowded city streets."

In our transplant community we often talk about the "Gift of Life" that transforms us and presents us with a lifetime of opportunities. To my way of thinking, that 'transformation' can also take place when children are given the "Gift of Fun" that has the potential to open the door to a lifetime of opportunities for them.

How to help Fresh Air Fund children have some fun this summer

• Run in this year's New York City Half-Marathon August 16th (Maybe you would have liked to have gone to Australia for the World Transplant Games this year but couldn't due to financial and time constraints - Here's a chance to take part in something worthwhile closer to home.)


• Host a Child - thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.


• Donate to The Fresh Air Fund - Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.

Any help you can give to make it possible for a child to escape the hot, crowded city streets this summer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Merv.

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