NORWICH – Amy and Rich Winton first heard about the Fresh Air Fund from a local newspaper. The organization’s goal, to allow children from New York City to enjoy a summer vacation in the country, caught their attention.

“I think living up here we sometimes take for granted everything we have,” said Amy Winton. “It sounded like a good program and a good way to open our home to those who are less fortunate.”

The Fresh Air Fund is a not-for-profit organization that brings more than 5,000 children from New York City to host families in 13 Northeastern states and Canada.

The organization has 305 “Friendly Towns,” where children live with host families. The Fund works with social work programs, community organizations and schools in the city to register children.

The Fund pays for the child’s travel expenses, screens and picks host families, and sometimes organizes group activities.

“The children really become a part of your family,” said Winton, who has two children of her own. “It’s not just opening your home to a guest. It’s opening your family and your heart.”

The Winton family first hosted Karry in the summer of 2008, when she was 10 years old. She stayed for two weeks, the standard visit time for children participating in the program the first time.

“She just really meshed with our family,” Winton said.

The Wintons invited Karry back for Christmas that same year, and every summer after that.