An Adoption Day celebration will be hosted at the Grayson County Judicial Building on Thursday, November 15.

The event is an effort to honor the struggles that each Grayson County family touched by adoption have overcome to be what they are today - a family.

“We have notoriously been the number one county per capita for children in out-of-home care in the state,” said CASA Director Erica Simpson. “We’re not anymore!”

Through her work with the non-profit agency, Simpson has worked with many of these families and has helped them along in their paths, which for some, have taken many years.

Simpson’s enthusiasm was contagious, as she talked about the opportunity to celebrate with the children, parents, case workers, volunteers, and judges who have worked so diligently toward the cause here in our county and who have contributed to our slow, but steadily building success.

She explained that as of October 18, 2012, there were 113 children in foster care here in Grayson County. Of those, 54 have the goal of adoption.

This year, about 25 children are expected to have completed the process of adoption in time for the Adoption Day event.

“It’s a big deal for our county,” Simpson said, “It’s just huge, and it takes a lot of hard work.”

The event, which will begin at 3 p.m. is open to all families and individuals touched by adoption, and will conclude a full day spent hearing adoption cases at the Judicial Building.

The celebration will include great activities for children and adults alike, and will hopefully serve as a source of encouragement for those who are devoted to helping area children into permanent, loving homes.