Thomas and Kathleen McGovern of Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Thomas and Kathleen McGovern of Emmaus, PA are the 2008 National Parents of the Year. “Tom and Kathy”, as they are fondly called, have three biological children, Tom, Sarah, and Jessica and four adopted children. Recently, they also fostered a medical mission child. Jennica, who they arranged to have open-heart surgery. Tom and Kathy also provided care for Tom's 92 year-old grandmother. They have been foster parents for over twenty years, caring especially for developmentally disabled children. They have provided care for over forty domestic children and five international children. Kathy holds degrees in Early Childhood, Elementary and Special Education. Tom has a Doctorate in Chiropractics and is teaching classes in Anatomy and Physiology at two local colleges.
Kathy feels that her mission in life is to take care of others, particularly the disabled. Brianna and Eric are in wheelchairs. Tom and Kathy have seen to it that foster children in their care have had surgeries in order to make their lives better. A recent example is Jennica, a foster care child who had surgery in order for her to be able to walk. Kathy is helping raise funds for Jennica’s adoption by another couple through Barnes and Noble book sales and organizing car washes with the help of The Barn Community. The McGoverns also help other foster families by sharing their knowledge and skills.
The McGoverns are very active within their local
community. Tom has served on the Upper Milford Township Zoning,
Recreation and Library Boards. He also served on the Lehigh County 4-H
Development Board. Some of their children play ball in the Miracle
League for children with disabilities. Perhaps their greatest legacy is
the impact of having fostered and loved over 50 children entrusted to
their care. They have offered compassion, value and hope to the lives
of children
whom many have abandoned. If you meet any of their children, you
immediately see the influence Kathy and Tom's love has had upon them.
The McGovern family attends “The Barn”, an emerging church, in the Macungie area. They participate in fund raising activities to benefit children in their care and others with specific needs. The Barn sponsored a walk-a-thon to raise money to purchase a wheelchair accessible van for the McGoverns so they could all be transported at one time. They walked along with others and got sponsors to raise the necessary funds for the purchase of the van. Recently, they relied on the strength of their faith when Tom lost his job and benefits.
Tom and Kathy willingly place the needs of others above those of themselves. They do not emphasize material possessions, but rather place importance on love for children and concern for others. They usually cannot afford the extras, such as vacations, expensive clothing or furnishings, but are content and flourish with the lifestyle that they have. Most of all they are genuinely grateful for anything that is given to them or done for them. They are truly "Paying It Forward" by carrying out their mission of welcoming and caring for children who need a loving family. To most they are an inspiration and role model, but they consider their actions nothing more than living out the call to love neighbor that we are all invited to do.
