Save the Date: National Adoption Day Set for November 20

LOS ANGELES, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- National Adoption Day 2010 will be held on Saturday, November 20. Celebrated across the United States, more than 350 community events are held each year to finalize the adoptions of children in foster care and celebrate adoptive families.

In all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam, the widespread cause will include events ranging from courtroom adoptions to local celebrations.

As a result of the thankless efforts of adoption advocates, policymakers, judges and lawyers, a total of more than 30,000 children have been adopted from foster care on National Adoption Day during the last 10 years.

"We believe we are overcoming the many misconceptions Americans have about foster care adoption," said Rita Soronen, executive director of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and member of the National Adoption Day Coalition. "Americans are developing a deeper understanding that many more people, even those in nontraditional families, can adopt. We hope that individuals from all walks of life will consider themselves adoptive parents and get involved in adopting from foster care."

November is also National Adoption Month. While, National Adoption Day is just one day in a year-round effort to raise awareness of children in foster care and encourage people to get involved.

"There are 123,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families. It is unacceptable that any child should not have the opportunity for a safe, loving and permanent home," said Renette Oklewicz, director, Freddie Mac Foundation and member of the National Adoption Day Coalition. "National Adoption Day is a collective national effort to raise awareness about the significant need for foster care and adoption, and a very important way we help improve the lives of children in foster care around the country."

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

National Adoption Day Coalition Partners: Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Freddie Mac Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services, Children's Action Network, The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and The Alliance for Children's Rights.

SOURCE National Adoption Day Coalition