EVERETT—The Snohomish County Superior Court, in partnership with the County Clerk’s Office and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program held a celebration on Friday, November 21, recognizing National Adoption Day.
National Adoption Day is a collective, grassroots effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States, its website states.
For the last 26 years, counting, courts and organizations in more than 400 communities across the country open their doors on, or around, the Saturday before Thanksgiving to finalize and celebrate adoptions from foster care.
It’s a day to honor, and recognize, the more than 90,000 children who move from foster care to a permanent family.
“Adoption Day is all about celebrating when a child is matched with a loving family,” said Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Patrick Moriarty. “It is an honor to be a part of and to recognize these amazing children and families. It is the happiest day of the year in the courthouse.”
Snohomish County’s Adoption Day celebration took place in the Snohomish County Superior Court Jury Assembly Room on Friday, November 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The celebration included guest speakers, activities, and gift bags for children, a photo booth, and appearances by Webbly the Aquasox mascot, SnoCope’s Rocky the Racoon, and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office Bearcat and Kids Copter. Assistance Dogs Northwest brought in puppies for the kids to love on and light food, snacks and refreshments were also served.
“It was an incredible honor to attend and participate in Snohomish County’s National Adoption Day celebration again this year. It is such a joyful event focused on honoring families, praising the selfless act of foster care adoption, and shining a light on the children still waiting for a permanent home,” Sheriff Susanna Johnson told the Lynnwood Times. “I would like to extend my appreciation to the Superior Court and the Clerk’s Office for inviting us to observe this important day alongside so many children in our community.”
The following organizations and law firms supported this year’s Adoption Day celebration: Snohomish County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Snohomish County Clerk’s Office, Snohomish County Executive’s Office, Beresford Booth Law Firm, Touhy Minor Kruse, PLLC, Alicia Kikuchi Law Firm, Rotary Club of South Everett, Everett Police Department, and Imagine Children’s Museum.
More about National Adoption Day
The first National Adoption Day was launched in 1999 by a coalition of national partners including the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Alliance for Children’s Rights, the Freddie Mac Foundation, and Children’s Action Network.
On November 18, 2000, this coalition encouraged nine cities across the country to open their courts on, or around, the Saturday before Thanksgiving to finalize, and celebrate, adoptions from foster care.
This move was inspired by former presiding judge of Los Angeles County’s Juvenile Court, who opened the court on Saturdays, engaging in the volunteer efforts of court personnel and finalizing adoptions to reduce the backlog of one of the busiest courts in the nation.
Ever since, more than 400 communities across the country have hosted National Adoption Day events recognizing more than 90,000 children moving from foster care to a permanent family.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
