McGarrys Honored by Town For Work As Foster Parents

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and the town board recently recognized Levittown residents Joseph and Kristine McGarry for their work as foster parents at the Town's 15th Annual “Make A Difference” awards ceremony.

Since being certified as foster parents in 1980, the McGarrys have fostered more than 100 children. Many of the children they fostered were born addicted to drugs or alcohol, while others were born severely disabled, and came to them as young as two weeks old. Through the years, many of these foster children remained part of the McGarry family, leaving the McGarrys with three sons and seven daughters (as well as 14 grandchildren.)

Joe McGarry is the vice president of the Police Organization Providing Peer Assistance (POPPA), volunteering his time as a responder to a 24-hour hotline that addresses domestic issue sfor other police officers. For the last 15 years, Joe also drives, picks up and visits police officers and their families when they are hospitalized. A member of the New York Shield Pipes and Drums, Joe plays the bagpipes for organizations such as the Wounded Warriors and the Widows and Children Fund.