Extended Family: Immediate Love

In the winding roads under Cold Knob Mountain in West Virginia, Betty Hambrick and Lee Stidom are the aunt and uncle of three young boys. In their mobile home, they are responsible for the children’s health and upbringing.
“My world changed when I said I would take them,” Betty said. Since July, Betty has taken care of the boys.
Lee spends most of his time working about 60 hours a week on a turkey farm to support the family. After quitting her job as a house painter, Betty works at home for the kids, while often babysitting her granddaughters. Sacrificing a lot, she doesn’t regret the decision, she said. “I love these kids, I’d do anything for them.”
Joey, 10, William, 7, and Duke, 5, work hard in school. Joey, who is in some special education classes at school, recently won 1st place in a school wide academic competition, and will represent his school in the regional tournament soon.