The nonprofit group, which has a presence in Vancouver at 309 W. 12th St., helps place children in loving homes and reunites families that have fallen apart. Recently the society honored a Lakewood couple that has been a foster family to more than 50 children over three decades. It could be closer to 100 children these parents have taken in; they say they stopped counting at 50. The couple have also hosted 100 or so foreign exchange students and have legal guardianship for nine kids.

The foster parents from Lakewood are Dave and Renea Williamson. They have one natural son. They have adopted other children and are still foster parenting to this day. Why do they open their home to the masses?

They believe that a house should be a home and that every child should have one, they told Seattle’s King 5 News. Dave Williamson said his wife is like the old woman in the shoe. And when he dies some day, there will still be kids pouring out of the house. “That’s the way she is,” he said. “And I support it.”

Not everyone can or should be a foster parent. Some people find raising their own children challenging enough and legitimately so. But for those who have more to give, we offer up a Mother’s Day challenge and opportunity:

Special recognition for the Williamsons was in conjunction with national foster parent month in May. The state is always in need of good foster homes. And groups such as the Children’s Home Society of Washington are always in need of donations to help ensure that children have strong families.

Visit www.childrenshomesociety.org/3_donatemain.htm to learn more about donating or call the society at 360-695-1325 to learn hands-on ways to assist local children.

The state also honored foster parents this week in Olympia. The celebration was in the state Capitol on May 6. Foster families and relative caregivers were there representing the massive amount of love and compassion people have for children in our state.

The state has a phone number where you can connect with people who have had experience foster parenting. Call 1-888-KIDS-414. You can also go online to learn more about being a state foster parent (www1.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/be_FosterIntro.asp).

Mother’s Day is a day to honor all mothers’ accomplishments. We hope it is also a day to brainstorm ways to lend parenting care to children who might otherwise go without.