Thousands of Children Will Find Their Forever Families on National Adoption Day

COLUMBUS, OH--(Marketwired - Nov 19, 2013) - This Saturday, an estimated 4,500 children in foster care will find their forever families on National Adoption Day. This annual one-day event has made the dreams of thousands of children come true by working with policymakers, practitioners and advocates to finalize adoptions and create and celebrate adoptive families.

"We are proud to be a part of this amazing day that celebrates children and families," said Rita Soronen, president and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a member of the National Adoption Day Coalition. "It's truly gratifying to see National Adoption Day as a growing movement across the country."

Celebrated annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and held during National Adoption Month in November, National Adoption Day raises awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. It is also a day to draw attention to the more than 23,000 children each year who turn 18 or 21 and age out of the foster care system without families to support them in the future.

"Every child needs and deserves a permanent, loving family," said Janis Spire, CEO of the Alliance for Children's Rights, a member of the National Adoption Day Coalition. "On this one special day, we are honoring all the families who have made this dream come true for thousands of children in foster care."

There are approximately 400 local celebrations taking place across the country this weekend. The National Adoption Day 2013 celebrity spokesperson, Rachel Crow, will attend and perform at the Los Angeles National Adoption Day celebration on Friday, November 22, at the Edmund D. Edelman Children's Court.

Crow, 15, was adopted from foster care as an infant. She made a name for herself by age 13 on the first season of The X Factor and secured a record deal with Columbia Records/Syco. She is now taking on acting roles in feature films and network television.

"I know my dreams would not be possible without my family. I discovered what I love to do, using my creative talents and gifts to bring a smile to other people's faces, and my family has been right there with me every step of the way," said Crow.

In 2012, more than 4,500 children were adopted by their forever families during National Adoption Day celebrations. Approximately 44,500 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day since it began in 2000.

"Can you imagine living your entire childhood without a family? The longer children are in foster care, the more at risk they are of leaving foster care without being adopted," said Jennifer Perry, executive director of the Children's Action Network, a member of the National Adoption Day Coalition. "Every child deserves a nurturing family and a safe home."

The National Adoption Day Coalition created the One Day Project to give hope to children waiting in foster care, and to encourage others to adopt, by sharing their stories of what their "one day" in the adoption process is like. The coalition is asking families, adoptees and adoption advocates to submit a short video about their adoption story, a few words of encouragement or why they support National Adoption Day.

For more information about the events taking place locally and foster care adoption, please visit nationaladoptionday.org.

National Adoption Day Coalition partners: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Freddie Mac Foundation, Children's Action Network, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and the Alliance for Children's Rights.