Cystic fibrosis walk

PORTLAND — The Northern New England chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has announced the launch of Great Strides, a national walk that generates funds to support cystic fibrosis research, education and care. The 2012 goal of Great Strides is to raise nearly $40 million.

The Portland Back Cove Walk, to coincide with Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in May, will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave. Check-in is at 9 a.m.

The event will feature food, a live band and children’s entertainment.

To get involved in Great Strides, contact Karla Wheaton, development director, at 712-3091 or kwheaton@cff.org, or register to walk at http://www.cff.org/great_strides/.

Host a NYC kid

NEW YORK — Many mothers in Central Maine take on the role of Fresh Air mom, as they host New York City children through the Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program.

The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income neighborhoods since 1877. Each summer, nearly 4,000 inner-city children visit suburban, rural, and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family Program.

The Fresh Air Fund needs help to celebrate its 136th summer of sharing the joys of summertime.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer host to a Fresh Air child this summer, contact Jeanne McNeill at 751-0316, call the Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003 or visit www.freshair.org.