National Adoption Day will be celebrated at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Friday, November 20th.  That morning at least two Superior Court courtrooms will be devoted exclusively to adoption hearings.  One can expect lots of emotion and joy (and a few tears).

From 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., there will be a public celebration, with speeches, activities for the kids, refreshments, mascots, prizes and other festivities. State Senator Paull Shin will be a special featured speaker during the celebration.

Superior Court Judge Dave Kurtz notes, “Today more than 129,000 American children linger in foster care, waiting to be adopted.  That includes more than 1,800 foster children in Washington State alone of which over 200 are in Snohomish County.” 

Kurtz continues, “Every child wants a home; every child deserves a family.  In part to raise awareness of the crying need for adoptive parents, National Adoption Day was first established in the year 2000.  In less than a decade, National Adoption Day has grown to be celebrated in more than 300 locales, in all 50 states.”

Governor Chris Gregoire has proclaimed November 20th as Adoption Day throughout the State of Washington. A similar proclamation has been made by Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon. 

Adoption hearings are usually done privately.  However, on November 20th, it is anticipated that most parties will waive that statutory right, and that most proceedings will be open to the public and to the media.  In any event, the public celebration will certainly be open to anyone who wishes to attend. 

Those desiring further information (including regarding media access) are invited to contact Jessica Gurley at 425-388-7840.