The Lehigh Valley volunteer committee attended The Fresh Air Fund’s annual Friendly Towns Leadership Conference Feb. 3-5 at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square.

Over the course of three days, volunteers participated in interactive workshops with The Fresh Air Fund’s staff and community agency partners.

Volunteers attended professional development workshops throughout the conference, with topics ranging from children’s safety to empathy and diversity, to community engagement.

Former Fresh Air child, Inspector Ernest Morales, commanding officer of the 42nd Precinct in The Bronx, delivered the keynote speech.

Inspector Morales shared with the close to 300 volunteers in attendance how The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program greatly impacted his life.

The closing ceremony included inspiring remarks by Fresh Air siblings and concluded with a spectacular performance by the Bronx Theatre High School Step Team.

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 communities since 1877.

First time Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from seven to 12 years old, who live in New York City.

Children who are re-invited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips.

Join families in Lehigh Valley this summer as a volunteer host family and provide Fresh Air children with a unique and fun summer experience in a new environment.

Contact Rebecca Hanson at 610-428-8760 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online at www.freshair.org to learn more.