Sabold Family Summer Story

Seven-year-old Mya Martinez has only spent two summers with her host family, Marcia and Michael Sabold of East Berlin, PA, and yet she already feels like she is a part of the family. The Sabolds felt such a connection with Mya in just the two weeks she spent with them in 2008, that they knew it would be hard to go an entire year without seeing one another. Therefore, they decided to invite Mya to spend the holidays with them. They first met with Mya's parents to make sure it was ok, and through this meeting, Marcia saw how wonderful Mya's family is and how "supportive [they are] of her having these new experiences." Marcia and Michael are so grateful to be able to give Mya these "new experiences" and share the simplicities of their home with such an open and loving child.

In the summer of 2009, Mya visited with Marcia and Michael for three weeks where she spent her days swimming, playing in the backyard and camping. Marcia explains that it is enjoying these activities alongside Mya that makes hosting so special. "It's so heartwarming to see the joy when she experiences things for the first time - a lightning bug or fireworks. It really makes you pleased to see that you can give that happiness to a child so easily." Sharing in the activities that are absent in Mya's life in New York City has been a natural experience for Marcia and Michael, yet life-changing. Marcia, Michael and Mya all look forward to the summers to come and continuing to be a part of one another's life.