Mary Kunkel has devoted her life to helping children by securing the support they deserve.

For 38 years, she has worked in the field of child support in both Pennsylvania and Louisiana and has served at the Carbon County domestic relations director since 2002.Because of her work, the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania recently honored Kunkel with the most prestigious Robert S. Stewart Award at its annual conference in Erie. Stewart served as the state's first Title IV-D director and paved the way on how the state collects child support."When I got the call, I was truly surprised and humbled that my peers would think this much of me and the work I've done over the last 28 years here in Carbon," Kunkel said. "It's quite an honor."The association chooses the recipient who exemplifies the ideals established by Stewart in the pursuit of collecting support for children in Pennsylvania.Kunkel is the 44th recipient since the award was established and only the ninth woman.In addition to her work in Carbon, Kunkel has been a member of the Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania since 1987 and has served on various committees, most recently serving on the ad hoc committee to make a recommendation to the courts as to the charging of fees in domestic relations cases.She credits her staff's dedication and hard work for making the department a success."We do the best we can here," she said.Kunkel and her husband, Earl, reside in Jim Thorpe. They have two children and three grandchildren.She thanked her family for their love and support throughout her career."This truly was a humbling experience," Kunkel said."I'm very proud of Mary," Carbon County Commissioner William O'Gurek said following the award announcement last month. "There is nothing better than when you are selected by your peers to accept such a prestigious award. It's a great honor and she put Carbon County in a good light. I want to thank her for the work she is doing in helping children who need the protection and finances."