Opening up their homes and their hearts to children they have never met. That is the definition of a foster parent. Allen County Children Services honored those special people at their annual appreciation banquet Thursday evening. But one couple was singled out for being a foster parent for 40 years. Jeff and Bonnie Edwards heard the calling to help other children after their own boys died in a fire.

They provide stability, comfort, and love to children who are going through difficult times. They are foster parents and they are being recognized as May is National Foster Care Month. There are 42 licensed foster care families in Allen County and they work with the Allen County Department of Children Services. When children are removed from a home, foster parents are often called upon to give the kids a place to stay while their case is being handled.