Anne Dolloff found out about The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program through Eve Conlin of Boothbay, who is a longtime volunteer host and was Dolloff’s neighbor. She also had read stories from other hosts who shared their reasons for hosting and anecdotes about how wonderful the program was.

Dolloff learned how the simple action of hosting a child would make a difference in a child’s life. This summer, Cassandra, a 14-year-old girl from Queens, will return for her second summer in Boothbay.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income neighborhoods since 1877. Each summer, over 4,000 children visit suburban, rural, and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program.

When Cassandra visits, the family loves to take her camping, to the beach, and to the pool. They also enjoy going crabbing. This summer, they can’t wait to do more outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, and having some outdoor picnics. Dolloff recalled the first time that Cassandra saw the stars on a clear night. “They were so numerous and beautiful, and she had never seen them like that. The awe on her face was priceless,” Dolloff said.

Eve, Dolloff’s 13-year-old daughter, gets along extremely well with Cassandra. “They are so much alike. They like the same food, clothes, and more,” Dolloff  said. Throughout the year, the family stays in touch with Cassandra by sending cards and small gifts, as well as by talking on the phone. “She calls us all the time. And she tells me I’m her Maine Mom,” Dolloff said. They cannot wait to welcome her back to their home this summer. “Just spending time together is our ‘Maine’ goal,” Doloff said, with a laugh.

The Fresh Air Fund is always seeking host families to enable as many New York City children as possible to benefit from a summer experience outside of the city. To learn more about how to become a host family in the Boothbay area, please call Jennifer Hodgkins at 207-837-8059 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org.