Foundation For Large Families
Unsung Heroes
The Birmingham News
Sunday, July 04, 2004
We can think of no better way to honor that greatness than to honor people in our community who have gone the extra mile - and beyond - to help their fellow citizens without a lot of public recognition for their efforts.
As has become a Fourth of July tradition, The News celebrates its Unsung Heroes of 2000.
These aren't the only people in our area giving unselfishly of themselves, of course. In honoring their efforts, we honor all who added to the spirit of help, hard work and hope that makes America what it is.
Beverly and Sam Gardner love children
For many people, having four children would be enough. For Beverly and Sam Gardner, married 25 years this month, their four biological children are only the beginning.
The Gardners have adopted eight other children and, on July 16, the adoptions of two additional children will become final. It's remarkable the Gardners have the ability to love and take care of four natural children and 10 adopted children, but that's not all. Of the 10 adopted children, six have either developmental delays or physical or mental handicaps. They have enough kids that the Gardners are a team of their own in the Miracle League, a baseball league for physically and mentally challenged children.
"We both came from large families," Beverly says. "We know how well large families can work together if they're functional families, if they're organized."
The Gardners, who live in Grayson Valley, don't plan to stop with 10 adopted children, either. "Every time we say we're done, we're not done," Beverly says. "Whenever the time is right to stop, we'll stop."
Sam and Beverly have been foster parents since 1991 and have received several awards for their foster work from the Department of Human Resources and other groups. But right now, the Gardners and DHR are struggling against each other; Beverly claims that DHR says they have enough children and don't need any more.
"But what's enough?" Beverly asks. "If you can do it, and do it well, why stop when there are so many children who need homes?" Still, times can be difficult. The Gardners aren't wealthy; Sam is a longtime employee of Parisian, and Beverly keeps the children.
"It's not hard on us," she says, "but that's because we're supposed to do this. It's our calling."
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