Iowa woman recognized for fostering more than 600 kids over 5 decades

In her nearly 50 years as a foster mom, Linda Herring never turned away a child.

Day or night, if she received a call about a kid in foster care that needed her help, she'd hop in the car and drive to pick them up. Herring, 75, and her husband Bob live in Johnson County, Iowa, and they have fostered more than 600 kids there, including many with special needs. "I kept doing it because I had so much love to give to these children in need," she told CNN.

The Herrings have eight children, with three of them former foster kids who were adopted. Son Anthony Herring was six months old when he was placed with the family, and he told CNN his parents "have both taught me that family isn't determined by blood, it's who you have in your life to love."

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Anthony Herring watched as his mother worked to keep siblings together and helped biological parents with the steps necessary to regain custody of their kids. "It's hard to say in words her impact," he said. "She was always available and ready for a child in need. These kids were usually taken from a traumatic situation and she'd take them in, provide a warm bed, clean clothes, warm meals, and love."

Linda Herring also ran a daycare at her home, was a night custodian at a local high school, and spent nearly five decades as a volunteer first responder. Due to health issues, she stopped fostering in October, and the Johnson County Board of Supervisors honored her hard work and dedication last week with a resolution of appreciation. She still keeps in touch with many of her former foster kids, who visit and send her cards and pictures, and several attended the ceremony.