Photos and story by Amanda Sciandra
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NORTH WILDWOOD – Marked by its 100th anniversary, the Children’s Fresh Air Home spent Sunday, June 25th in full celebration. The event was filled with heartfelt speeches detailing the past, present, and future dedications of the Children’s Fresh Air Home in serving our region’s youth.
Patrick Rosenello, Mayor of North Wildwood, was met with excitement and applause as he announced that June 25 was now Children’s Fresh Air Home Day in the city of North Wildwood. For John Stefankiewicz, president of the Children’s Fresh Air Home, along with the other faculty, it was evident that they were beyond grateful to the city of North Wildwood and its many patrons who have made the dreams of the organization into a reality.
“[The Children’s Fresh Air Home] has served over 20,000 children on this site over the past 100 years,” said John Stefankiewicz.
Founded in 1896 by L. Ida Dukes, the organization began with the 41-year-old mother of six and her mission to give children the chance to experience a great summer down by the beach. In 1923, the Children’s Fresh Air Home, located to this day on 1100 Surf Ave, officially opened its doors.
Perhaps the most powerful speech during the event was given by Javohn Brown, a former child attendee of the Children’s Fresh Air Home.
“I just want to thank the Children’s Fresh Air Home for an opportunity to have a place of fresh air mentality, to be able to have an oasis to get our kids regrouped, reconnected, reunified with themselves, with god, and their families,” said Javohn Brown.
As construction on the new Children’s Fresh Air Home is still underway this summer, the organization is continuing its “If Just for a Day program,” which invites kids to spend a fun day at the beach. Milt McFalls is in charge of this summer program, and he has worked for the organization for 52 years.
“It’s a pleasure for me to be a part of this organization,” Milt McFalls said. Milt has truly devoted his life to the Children’s Fresh Air Home and his impact does not go unnoticed.
Serving the organization for 20 years, former counselor and board member Shannon Gibson highlighted what this place means for all the children who have attended.
“To be able to have a burger and experience their first rollercoaster…This place has been a refuge for children,” Shannon Gibson said.
As he took his place behind the podium one last time, John Stefankiewicz made his own announcement. When they began construction on the Children’s Fresh Air Home, they discovered a time capsule from 1923 filled with letters and newspaper clippings. In honor of this discovery, John announced that the organization was going to start their own time capsule to be placed into history and buried on the property.
The Children’s Fresh Air Home is hoping to reopen the home by July 1st, 2024. Until then, the organization is always looking for new volunteers and donations as they look forward to continuing their mission of helping children for the next 100 years.