Imagine not being able to run barefoot in the grass. That's an unfortunate reality for many big-city children, who are more familiar with urban blocks than country roads. Enter The Fresh Air Fund. Since 1877, this nonprofit has paid for more than 1.7 million children from low-income New York City communities to experience summer in the country. Roughly 400 children are coming to Vermont in July and August to ride bikes, eat creemees and soak up our rural scenery — and some of them still need volunteer host families. Interested? After submitting to an interview, all that's required is "room in your home and room in your heart to take in a child for a week," says Mary Sherman, a local volunteer leader who has hosted Fresh Air kids since 1985.

The Fresh Air Fund: For information about hosting a Fresh Air child in Vermont, contact Mary Sherman at 752-6358, or the Fresh Air Fund at 800-367-0003 or freshair.org.