American Fork residents Tom and Faith Gandolph have never been comfortable in the limelight. The couple's quiet, dedicated service as foster parents for more than 35 years in three different states has garnered public recognition and attention.

During their 55 years of marriage, the Gandolphs have raised nine of their own children, adopted two more and touched the lives of 30 foster children. Despite the hundreds of lives influenced by their service and sacrifice, Faith Gandolph feels she and her husband are really the ones being blessed.

"It's been an honor," she said quietly. "I've never thought of it as any kind of talent - it's just what we do, and it's our joy and privilege to do it."

In recognition of their 35 years of service, the Utah Foster Care Foundation presented the couple with a lifetime achievement award. Provo Mayor Lewis Billings was on hand to sign a proclamation dedicating May as foster care month for the city. He praised what has become the Gandolphs' life work of raising and nurturing children.

"I don't know if there's a greater thing you can do than help children," he said. "They've done such a good job. I'm seriously thinking about sending three of four of mine over."

Being a foster parent is not easy and requires patience, said Suzanne Callister from the Utah Department of Child and Family services. Callister said most children placed in foster care come from homes plagued with domestic violence and drug abuse. What they need most is a calm, stable environment.

"The Gandolphs are really one of a kind," Callister said. "There just aren't many people like them. When a child is placed in their home they become part of the family. They put the children's picture up on the wall and treat them as one of their own. They offer children who have grown up in chaos the love and structure they need to heal."

Tom and Faith began foster parenting in Long Island, N.Y., in the early 1970s. Already raising nine of their own children, they accepted an invitation from LDS family services to provide a home for a teenage girl they knew.

She stayed with the Gandolphs for six years, graduated from high school and went on to become a New York City police officer. Over the next decade, the couple cared for eight more children, all without financial support or professional training.

In 1985 they moved to Illinois where they became licensed foster parents and continued to care for children. They've lived in Utah since 1999 and provided a home for 12 more children, including the two boys they've raised for the last four years.

Now in their late sixties, the Gandolph's said they plan to continue caring for foster children.

"We've tried to retire about six times so far," Faith Gandolph said smiling. "Every time we do, Suzanne [Callister] calls me up and we just can't say no. There's too much need."

According to DCFS, there are approximately 2,312 children in foster care in the state including 475 in Utah County. Approximately 80 percent are reunited with their primary care giver or a relative within 12 months. Those that aren't are usually adopted by their foster parents. Callister said the Utah Department of Child and Family services is always in need of families who can take sibling groups and small children.