Fundraiser

Running NYC’s half-marathon

Sarah Tugel, a graduate of Avon Junior/Senior High School, is running in the New York City Half-Marathon to raise money for The Fresh Air Fund.

Sarah moved to New York City in the summer of 2009 and is now in her second year of teaching in the Bronx.

After reading about the Fresh Air Fund in the paper and hearing about her daughter’s stories teaching inner-city children, Sarah’s parents Terri and Robert signed up to host a child that summer through The Fresh Air Fund.
Since 1877, more than 1.7 million children from low-income communities have enjoyed free summer experiences in rural, suburban and small town communities with The Fresh Air Fund.Each summer, The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family program sends nearly 4,000 New York City children on free summer vacations across 13 Northeastern states and Canada.

“There was no hesitation,” Terri said about signing up. “We expressed our concerns that we have no children at home – but in some ways it was easier. We were able to request a child that was about the same age and gender as our neighbors’ children, and two of our friends were hosting Fresh Air children of similar ages.”

Last summer, 11-year-old Teonne visited the Tugels. During Teonne’s visit she enjoyed simple summertime activities like riding her bike on the Tugel’s driveway.

“My husband took her horseback riding – a friend of ours gave lessons with two of the other Fresh Air girls. Teonne had the biggest smile.”

As Teonne’s visit came to an end, she was already talking about her visit next summer. Terri said, “Before Teonne left, we were talking and she goes ‘next year when I come back we can have another girl, an 11-year-old!’”

Sarah hopes to raise $1,000 for The Fresh Air Fund. If you would like to donate you can visit her personal web page.