Sometimes, looking through an old photo album can bring more than just memories.

For Jennifer Ott, of Orefield, it brought her the inspiration to host a child through The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family Program.

As she was viewing her husband Jason's family history in his grandfather's delicate and faded photo album, she discovered a section dedicated to the Fresh Air child that spent the summers with him growing up.

The Fresh Air Fund is an independent, not-for-profit agency that has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877.

Ott always knew she and her husband wanted to give back somehow and improve the life of a child.

After seeing the photo album of Jason's grandfather, and hearing about The Fresh Air Fund from a friend in her daughter's dance class who was having her Fresh Air child for a Christmas visit, she knew what she wanted to do.

Jennifer and Jason opened up their hearts and home to 15-year-old Julianne in 2011, and Michael, 9, in 2012.

Additionally, Jennifer offered up her time as a local volunteer leader for the Upper Lehigh County area.

When Julianne first visited the Ott household at age 12, she was a few years older than all three of the Ott's children.

However, Alyson, 4; Ashley, 7; and Tanner, 10; began to view her as an older sister figure, and seemed to greatly enjoy her company.

"Honestly what really stuck out to me during her first visit was how hard she made my kids laugh," Jennifer Ott said. "I was in the kitchen one day cooking, and I heard my kids in the living room laughing like I've never heard them laugh before.

"I'm not kidding. That in itself was amazing.

"One year later, when Michael came into the picture, he immediately got along with Tanner. The mature for his age Michael was able to let loose and act like a kid around Tanner."

During Michael and Julianne's summer visits, the two partake in various outdoor activities with the Ott children, including swimming, hiking and playing in the yard.

The children always look forward to their visits, especially Ashley, who was absolutely devastated when she thought Julianne may not be able to come this past summer.

"Fortunately, we were able to make it work and Julianne came for a very long summer trip with us," Jennifer Ott said.

In addition to regular summer visits, Michael was able to attend Thanksgiving this year at the Ott's home.

He arrived on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and spent the day with Tanner at his school.

"He told us how different it was from his school and how he wants to move and transfer there," Jennifer Ott said.

On Thanksgiving morning, the family went on their annual hike at Trexler Nature Reserve with some friends from their church.

They then went to Jason's aunt's house for dinner, but only after cooking some delicious dishes at their own home instead.

"Michael absolutely loved the corn casserole we made. He's never had it before," said Jennifer Ott. "Keeping true with their Thanksgiving tradition, the boys played football in the yard before the meal."

Between visits, the Otts keep in touch with Julianne and Michael through Facebook messages and texting.

As a local volunteer leader, Jennifer urges those in her community to consider hosting.

"What I tell everyone is that no matter what you do with these kids when they visit, you're making a difference just by giving a child a new experience," Jennifer Ott said.

To learn more about how to become a host family, contact Jennifer Ott, a volunteer leader for the Upper Lehigh County area, at 484-550-9187 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at freshair.org.