Suns, Mercury Giving Thanks for Adopted Children

PHOENIX – More than 200 families in Maricopa County will be setting an extra place at the dinner table this Thanksgiving.

On Saturday, November 21, a record-setting 300 kids will be joining their forever families on National Adoption Day. The 300 children scheduled to have their adoption decrees finalized marks a 42 percent increase from last year’s event. In 2008, Maricopa County’s National Adoption Day event ranked number one in the United States with 205 adoptions.

For the fifth year, Phoenix Suns’ mascot, The Gorilla will make a special appearance at the event to mingle with the children and celebrate their adoption. The Gorilla will also be joined for the first time by the Phoenix Mercury’s mascot, Scorch. The festive atmosphere will also feature face painting, games, photos of the newly created families, and cake and ice cream.

Newly appointed Executive Director of Phoenix Suns Charities, Kathryn A. Pidgeon has served as the co-chair of National Adoption Day for the past several years with fellow co-chair attorney Janet Story. Pidgeon maintains a private law practice, and has emphasized adoption law for over 20 years, having served over 1,000 families during her career.

“Maricopa County has celebrated National Adoption Day for 10 consecutive years. Thanks to the generosity of our donors including Fore Adoption Foundation we will welcome over 2000 family members and friends to the court this Saturday to witness the miracle of adoption on this one day for 300 deserving children,” said Pidgeon.

The event helps raise public awareness about the plight of children without families. Some of the children, who range in age from newborns to teenagers, are victims of abandonment, neglect and abuse.

“Most of the adopted children come from difficult circumstances, and National Adoption Day gives us all a chance to witness the joy in their faces and reflect on how these adoptions can provide them a new start in a safe and secure home,” Presiding Juvenile Judge Norman J. Davis said.

More than 34 judicial officers have volunteered their Saturday to preside over the hearings, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Durango Juvenile Court Center, 3131 W. Durango in Phoenix. The public is encouraged to attend.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Adoption Day, a national day of celebration of adoptive families and an opportunity for courts to open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children from foster care. Since 2000, more than 25,000 children have had their adoptions finalized on National Adoption Day.