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Clear Vision, Fresh Air
News Facts
One out of four school children in the U.S. has vision problems, and 86% do not get their vision checked before age 12.
Many Fresh Air children do not have access to affordable vision care. Glasses break, are too expensive to replace, or are never prescribed in the first place. And often as a result, children's performance in academics, sports and activities suffers.
For the fifth summer in a row, OneSight offered to bring their traveling optical clinic to all five Fresh Air Fund camp.
Together with OneSight's Vision Vans – and a team of local doctors and volunteers, OneSight provides free eye exams and eyewear to thousands of children in need each year.
This summer at Fresh Air camp, OneSight's staff screened 3,295 children and counselors, gave 1,757 eye exams, and made 1,629 pairs of glasses, with 1,458 of them on-site and 171 specially driven in. The team stayed at Camp Hayden-Marks for two camp sessions, to make sure every child who needed the gift of sight was screened.
Although you might think some children would be reluctant to be prescribed glasses, most of them are delighted. They've been missing out on the world around them for too long. (Being able to pick out their own frames helps, too.)
Our friends at OneSight told us about a boy at Camp Mariah who ran to the Vision Van before the team had even begun setting up in the morning.
“You guys have the van, right,” he said, clapping and jumping up and down. “The one that I can get glasses from?”
We thank OneSight and you, for helping inner-city children receive the services they need.
2009 Summer Facts
2009 Fresh Air camp attendees: 3,000
2009 Friendly Town participants: nearly 5,000
Children who participate in our year-round programming: 2,000
Percent of children who are invited back to their Friendly Town families: 65%
Friendly Town state volunteer coordinators: 500
Percent of Fresh Air parents who say The Fresh Air Fund meets or exceeds their expectations: 90%
Host a Child
Thanks to host families who open up their homes for up to two weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air vacations.
More than 65% of all children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.
Fresh Air Fund Host Families
There is no such thing as a "typical" host family. If you have room in your home - and your heart - to host a child, you could be one too.
Learn More
Fresh Air Fund Children
Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 12 years old, who reside in low-income communities in New York City and are eager to experience the simple pleasures of life outside the city.
Donate
You can give a child the experience of a
lifetime with your gift 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.
Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of our camps, our programs make for unforgettable memories - and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.
We are a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations from people like you to keep our vital programs flourishing.
Donate online now
Fresh Air Fund in the News
Invaluable Volunteers - New York Times - September 6, 2009
In 2009, hundreds of volunteers have been tutoring and mentoring adolescents in our Career Awareness Program. More children had volunteer tutors this year than ever before.
NY City Kids Dive Into Maine - WCSH-TV - August 10, 2009
The park donated free passes to The Fresh Air Fund... allowing about a hundred kids and their host families into the park. For years organizers with the . . .
Local family welcomes child from inner city for seventh visit - Williamsport Sun-Gazette - August 8, 2009
Thanks to The Fresh Air Fund program, Getgen's wish came true. The Newberry family welcomed Cynthia Sarmiento, a 15-year-old from Queens, NY, . . .
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