They may not have been around for all the birthday cakes, first days of school or scraped knees, but in a way, Karen and Tom Dwyer of Latham are like a family to 11-year-old Khaalig Ford.
Every year, for the past five years, Ford has traveled with other children and teens over two hours by bus to greet his summer family as part of the Fresh Air Fund.
By definition, the Fresh Air Fund is a not-for-profit program that grants inner-city children the opportunity to breathe `fresh air` in a country/suburban community for two weeks during the summer. But by experience, the program means so much more for the children and families they stay with.
`This will be his fifth year staying with us,` said Tom Dwyer. `This is really great, we look forward to it every year.`
While the Fresh Air Fund has two programs, one that brings children to a camp outside of the city and one that brings them to host families, children can request to return to the same family year after year if they had an enjoyable time.
Holding up balloons and `welcome back` signs, the Dwyers eagerly waited on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 2, in the front yard of St. Francis DeSales Church, in Loudonville, for their young friend to get off the bus.
As he rubbed his eyes and made his way down the steep bus stairs, Ford was approached by the Dwyers, who beamed with large smiles and held out their arms.
`Hey, buddy!` said Karen Dwyer, hugging Ford, introducing him to family friends and a friend’s small dog, Biscuit.
Later, Ford stood by a black suitcase filled with summer essentials wearing a green nametag with word `Latham` written on it so that program coordinators could ensure that he left with the correct family.
Ford, however, already knew all about the family he was leaving with.
`[Last year] we went underground,` said Ford, describing a day trip the family took to a cavern in Schoharie. Ford also spent time last year swimming at the town pool, playing outside with the Dwyers’ three children, going to Great Escape in Lake George and catching fireflies.
`We have fireflies in the city, too,` interrupted Ford.
While the Dwyers, and the Fresh Air Fund, are nothing new for Ford, for other families, this year was the first time participating in the summer program.
`We’ve known about this program for many years, but this is the first time we are participating,` said Kathy Dutch, of Delmar.
Dutch and husband Hayward, who do not have children of their own, anxiously waited for their summer guest, 10-year-old Diamond Martin, to arrive. According to the couple, this was Martin’s first time going away for the summer with the Fresh Air Fund as well.
Hayward Dutch explained the process that the host families and child’s parents have to go through to match up the child with the perfect family.
`The mom looks through our paperwork and makes a match based on what we like to do,` he said.
According to Kathy Dutch, they `are outdoors people.`
Her husband went on to say the host family can choose what sex and age they would like the child staying with them to be. Finally, a match is made, and that is how Martin ended up with the Dutch family.
Kathy Dutch said that Martin will have another companion to spend the two weeks with as well: their chocolate lab.“