The Bus Is Here! Big Welcome for the Fresh Air Fund Kids

When the big bus carrying the Fresh Air Fund children from New York came to stop at a parking lot in Holmdel Park Thursday, 10-year old Cali Trainer of Marlboro was ready. She waved a homemade sign for her family's guest, Jennifer, from Harlem. She was wearing a purple vest, because that is Jennifer's favorite color. 

And she was ready to make friends with a girl she never met, who comes all the way from New York City. 

"I'm really excited to spend time with another girl," said Cali, who has a twin brother. "I hope we can be friends. I'm kind of hoping she likes me, too." 

The bus doors opened and one by one, 39 somewhat startled-looking children disembarked to the whoops and hugs of 27 Monmouth County families who volunteered to open their homes to a child, or two, from New York City for a week. There were more six families more than last year. Some of them knew each other from last summer and had been keeping in touch on Facebook. But for 19 families, it was their very first time as Fresh Air Fund host families. 

They retrieved suitcases and backpacks from under the bus and hopped in vans and SUVs, anxious to begin an unforgettable week. 

"The kids have an unbelievable time," said volunteer Chairwoman Karen Medlin of Marlboro, who hosted for eight years and now organizes beach and waterpark trips for the visiting children during their week in Monmouth County. "Dead deer on the side of the road, a button you an push to make your garage door open, these things are fascinating to the kids," she said.

"And when it is dark out here, it is so dark. When it is quiet out here, it is so quiet."  

The Fresh Air Fund began in 1877, as a way to usher tenement children out of the city during a tuberculosis epidemic. Today the program continues, but for recreational reasons. Hosts apply, go through a home interview and submit to a regular background/criminal check. Non-traditional households participate. On Thursday, some children were off to spend the week with a same-sex couple, empty nesters and even a single older man, said Medlin.

Hosts need to provide just a bed, not necessarily a separate bedroom, and provide a clothes drawer for the kids, who range in age from 6 to 18 years old. The agency asks hosts to not to let the kids jump on ATVs or trampolines. That's about it. 

Every year, kids left behind in the city for lack of hosts. This year, said Medlin, 120 kids were on the waiting list. 

The lucky ones had so much waiting for them. 

Marla Anagnos, 44, of Howell was planning on a camping trip at Turkey Swamp Park with her 7-year old son Ryder, with their 8-year old guest, Andrew, from Flushing, Queens, 

Natalie Warner, 41, of Roosevelt plans to take 7-year old Arianna from Brooklyn to the Burlington County 4-H Fair. A lemon cake was waiting for her at home, baked by Kelby, 7, and Rachel, 10. 

Trina Pettus of Keyport, and her 6-year old son Kyle, were looking forward to bringing 8-year old Eric of the Bronx to the Keyport's Fireman's Fair. 

And Judy Delgado of Shrewsbury and her two kids thought it would be cool to go glass-blowing in Asbury Park with 11-year old Javier, known as "Johnny," from the Bronx.

For eight years, Michele Grossman of Wall Township's has been a host. She has three of her own children, ages 9, 11 and 21. Out of experience she knows to explain a few household rules from the get-go. "No wet towels on my dining room chairs, not food on the dresser." From there on out, the children are free to swim, play and relax to their heart's content at her home. 

Mary Dunleavy-Messihi, 36 of Holmdel, said the Fresh Air Fund experience makes her realize her blessings. "You take home for granted until you are sharing it, in this intimate way," she said.

She and her husband Fred, also 36, were welcoming Alyssa Kirkwood, 8 of Brooklyn for the second year. They said they will take her to the beach house in Brick, to swim in the ocean, and a ride on their boat. Their 5-year old daughter Helena and 3-year old Margot will wake Alyssa up every morning to play Wii and Barbies together, just like last year. 

Fred Messihi said he looks forward to the happiness Alyssa brings to their home. "We get more out of it than she does."  

For information on becoming a Fresh Air Fund family, contact Karen Medlin at (732) 740-0449 or email her at 3grlsmom@optonline.net.