GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO)_ A local couple is being recognized as one of colorado's foster parents of the year. It's part of May's National Foster Care and Kinship month.

John and Kim Cannedy represented Mesa County as one of six couples honored by Governor Hickenlooper today in Denver. The couple, better known in the community as Papa John and Mama Kim, have been foster parents for the last two decades, they even run a parenting group to help others open their hearts and homes to something they describe as the hardest job you'll ever love.

Having a full house is nothing new for the couple.

"There's so many kids that need love and attention it was easy so we started with just infants and baby's and then it was in our hearts to take in whatever kids needed a home," says Kim Cannedy.

More than 40-kids later the Cannedy's are now being recognized as one of the states foster families of the year, an honor they humbly accept.

"We want to represent all parents, it's not about John and Kim, we just get to be the voice and the face."

It comes after a hard year for the family, in February John was hit by a car while riding his motorcycle, breaking all of the bones in his left
leg and even after four surgeries he still relies on crutches and a motorized chair to get around.

The community has stepped up to help the family with everything from donations to making the familes home wheelchair compatible and renovating the couples bedreoom.

Now John and Kim are encouraging others to open their home to a child in need.

"If everyone who was qualified took in one child, just one, we could change the world"