By Debra Downey, METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP

Lori and Steve Sajder are proof that sleepless nights do, indeed, come with rewards.

Through the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton, the couple has welcomed more than 30 children into their home, and their commitment to young lives is even more impressive because of the fact they have four youngsters of their own.

Lori said friends often ask how long it has been since she slept through the night. “I only laugh because I really don’t know,” she said. “But we can tell you the sleepless nights come with their rewards, and we have been rewarded over and over again.”

Lori and Steve had three children when they started fostering kids. At the time, their oldest, Mac, was eight, daughter Madison was four and third child, Mason, was a newborn. Since then, the Sajder clan has also welcomed – along with numerous foster children – daughter Miley, born in 2007.

At the time of Miley’s birth, the Sajders were  fostering a nine-month-old girl.

“There really was not a lot of sleep happening here for a while,” said Lori.

Now, four years later, fostering has become a family affair. From youngest to oldest, everyone is involved.

“This is something the entire family does,” said Lori. “Everyone in the family has to be okay with it to be able to do it successfully. It has such an impact on the whole family that it has to work for all of us.”

Lori and Steve have photos of all their foster children and never forget a name or story. Lori said each child who comes into her home touches family members in a special way. And no matter how long a child stays, the youngster becomes part of the family.

“They are like one of your own children and…when they leave, they take a little piece of your heart with them.”

Lori said it never gets easier when the family bids farewell to a youngster, but there is fulfillment in knowing they provided a safe home that allows many of the children to be kids for the first time.

“So often, these little children have had to lead grown-up lives, and we want to take away the pressure,” she said.

Lori said there is no greater reward than making a positive impact in the life of a child.  “When people ask us how we do it, I don’t really have an answer because this has just become our life. It is not something special we do, it has just become who we are.”

The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton hosts a Foster Parent Information Night, Wednesday, Jan. 25, 6:30-8 p.m., 735 King St. E., Hamilton.

To register call Carol Larsen at 905-525-CARE (2273) or www.hamiltonccas.on.ca.