T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA The Belmont County Board of Commissioners and Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services declare May to be Foster Parent Appreciation Month last week. Pictured from left front are Megan Stuckey of DJFS; Mary Carrel, foster parent; Nickie Couch and Christine Parker of DJFS. Second row, from left, commission President Jerry Echemann, Vice President Josh Meyer, and Christine Parker of DJFS. Third-row Commissioner J.P. Dutton, left, and DJFS Director Jeff Felton.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Mary Carrel and her husband wanted a family of their own, so after they discovered they weren’t able to have children they started caring for youngsters who were involved in the foster care system.

That was 15 years ago, and they have since opened their home to 13 children — three of whom they have officially adopted.

The longtime foster parent recently told the Belmont County Board of Commissioners why she decided to take those children in.

“We decided to try with Job and Family Services with fostering and we got lucky with our first placement. She was straight from the hospital, and we ended up adopting her later on when she was about a year old,” Carrol said.

May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month, and by the Belmont County Board of Commissioners recognized the occasion with a proclamation last Wednesday.

During its weekly meeting, the board read the proclamation to honor all foster parents for their work to provide for children in need.

“This is a proclamation in honor of Foster Parent Appreciation Month, where all foster families are thanked for their commitment to being there for children if being there for a day or a lifetime,” Commission President Jerry Echemann said.

According to the proclamation, there are 27 licensed foster homes in Belmont County.

Echemann asked Carrel throughout those 15 years when was the time when she had the most foster children in the home at one time.

“Well, right now five, which is going on right now,” Carrel replied.

Echemann proceeded to ask Carrol if she is in constant contact with Children Services.

“Usually, we’ve had a placement in our home for the past few years constantly,” she said.

When speaking on the timeframe of how long a child will be placed in her care, she said,

“You go into it knowing that it can be any time that they may have to go home so you just love them as much as you can when they are there.”

Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services Director Jeff Felton said fostering involves the entire family.

“It’s the whole family that is fostering these children. It’s the whole family — the adopted children are also part of that experience, which can make it easier or harder sometimes. The foster kids become part of that entire family and not just the responsibility of the foster parents but their children as well. We appreciate everything that they do,” he said.

Commissioner J.P. Dutton thanked Carrel and asked her what she’s learned from fostering.

“Every situation is different with them, but I just enjoy being able to put a smile on their face. Sometimes they come from the worst situations and if you can just put a little bit of spark in them that is all I’m here for. I just really want to put a little bit of hope in their life,” Carrel said.

Commissioner Josh Meyer thanked Carrel for the assumed impact that she has had on all of the foster children she’s housed. He added that his mother recently fostered and adopted a child, which led to Meyers gaining an unexpected brother at this point in his life.