National Adoption Month | Support Our 2023 Teddy Drive

It’s said that home is where the heart is. But for the more than 113,000 kids in foster care, finding a forever home can be a difficult journey.

That’s why November – National Adoption Month – is a special time for adoption communities across the country. National Adoption Month is an annual initiative dedicated to raising awareness about adoption and finalizing the adoptions of children who have found families to call their own.

Varghese Summersett is a proud supporter of National Adoption Month and the adoption community in Tarrant County. We believe every child deserves a loving and permanent home, and we are committed to doing our part to make that happen.

In addition to volunteering legal services to help facilitate adoptions on Tarrant County’s designated adoption day this year, we’re hosting a teddy drive so every child can go to their new home with a cherished and comforting companion.

We invite you to join us in supporting this cause by donating a bear or stuffed animal. Keep reading to learn more about National Adoption Month, Tarrant County Adoption Day, and how you can help.

The History of National Adoption Month

National Adoption Month has its roots in 1976 when Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis initiated Adoption Week. The primary objective? To promote the awareness of children in foster care awaiting their forever homes. This local effort didn’t stay confined to Massachusetts for long. Its success inspired then-President Ronald Reagan to proclaim the first National Adoption Week in 1984. By 1995, due to increasing awareness and activities, President Bill Clinton expanded the recognition to encompass the entire month of November.

Who Participates in National Adoption Month?

Every November, an altruistic group of organizations and individuals rally around a shared mission: raising awareness for the thousands of children in foster care awaiting forever homes and facilitating adoptions nationwide. National Adoption Month unites them with his heartfelt cause and includes:

• Adoptive families: Those who have adopted children or are in the process of adopting.
• Children in foster care: Children who are waiting for a loving family to call their own.
• Adoption professionals: Agencies, attorneys, caseworkers, and counselors who facilitate adoptions.
• Advocacy groups: Organizations that promote adoption awareness and provide resources for families.
• Government officials: Officials at local, state, and federal levels who support adoption initiatives.
• Courts: Courts that participate in finalizing adoptions during special ceremonies in November.
• Schools and educators: School districts often host programs or events highlighting adoption stories.
• Community organizations: Local groups may host events or provide resources related to adoption.
• Religious organizations: Many churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious institutions promote adoption within their communities.
• General public: Many people, whether directly connected to adoption or not, participate in events, support adoptive families, or use the month as an opportunity to learn more about adoption.

All these participants work collectively during National Adoption Month to spread the message about the importance of adoption and the difference it can make in a child’s life.

National Adoption Day

National Adoption Day is an annual event celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving across the United States. This year, it will be held on Saturday, November 18. On this day, courts and communities come together to finalize thousands of adoptions and to celebrate families who adopt,  just in time for the holidays. It’s a collective, nationwide effort to spotlight the importance of adoption and the joys it brings to both children and families.

Tarrant County Adoption Day

Tarrant County commemorates National Adoption Day the day before the rest of the country. On November 17, area foster kids and their adoptive families will come together at the Tarrant County Family Law Center, where adoption proceedings will take place in several courtrooms.

After the paperwork is signed and the adoption is official, the families are honored in a celebration with courthouse workers, volunteers with CASA of Tarrant County, local attorneys, and other community leaders and organizations.

During the event, the children select a stuffed animal and are given a superhero cape and a necklace engraved with their name and the date of their adoption. They also receive a framed copy of their first photograph as a family.

Varghese Summersett’s attorneys and paralegals volunteer their services to help finalize adoptions on this special occasion. It’s one of our favorite days of the year!

Varghese Summersett’s Adoption Teddy Drive

During Tarrant County’s Adoption Day, the children receive a stuffed bear or animal. Varghese Summersett is proud to help supply the stuffed animals for the event through our Adoption Teddy Drive.

We invite you to join us in supporting this cause by donating a new bear or stuffed animal. The donated stuffed animals will be given to children on Tarrant County’s Adoption Day, providing them with a special friend and comfort item as they embark on their new journey with their forever families.

Please drop off donations at our law firm, located in the One City Place Building in downtown Fort Worth. The address is:

Varghese Summersett
300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700
Fort Worth, TX 76102

For large donations, we are also happy to come and pick them up. Please call 817-203-2220 and ask for Christi Clanton.

Why National Adoption Month Matters to Us

Adoption is more than just legal proceedings and paperwork. It’s about hope, love, and the promise of a brighter future. Both in our personal and personal lives, we’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact adoption can have on both children and parents. Three members of the Varghese Summersett team were adopted and and can personally attest to the transformative power of finding a forever home. Their stories, combined with those of countless others, serve as a testament to the incredible journey of love, acceptance, and new beginnings that adoption brings.

Interested in Adoption? Varghese Summersett Can Help.

Adoption, while deeply rewarding, comes with its unique set of challenges. Having a trusted legal advisor can simplify and streamline the process. If you’re contemplating adoption, don’t embark on this journey alone. The experienced and compassionate adoption attorneys at Varghese Summersett are here to guide and support you every step of the way. Call (817) 900-3220 to schedule a consultation.