The Fresh Air Fund is encouraging central Maine families to begin thinking this holiday season about hosting a child in summer 2017 through the organization’s Friendly Towns Program.

Each summer nearly 4,000 children from New York City visit suburban, rural and small-town communities along the East Coast and southern Canada.

“After visiting my host family, I learned to never stop trying. The first summer that I went to stay with the Broners, I couldn’t swim. They taught me, and by the end of the week, I learned how to dive off the diving board,” said Kima, 12, from the Bronx.

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

FMI: 207-838-8062, www.freshair.org.