Fourteen Brown County children along their new families celebrated Adoption Day with a balloon release at the Brown County Courthouse after their finalization hearings on Monday.

Brown County Child Welfare Board members coordinated a release of blue, pink and yellow balloons for the event.  Each balloon had a special meaning:  blue represented the boys being adopted, pink represented the girls being adopted and yellow represented the boys and girls who are waiting to be adopted.

Judge Rob Hofmann of Mason presided over the adoption hearings held today and joined the children’s celebration with the special balloon release.  Child Protective Services and members of the Brown County Child Welfare Board also played important roles leading to the day’s event, said organizers.

Child Protective Services Program Administrator Sherrel Mathews spoke of the day’s significance.

“Thanks to Judge Hoffman for his service,” stated Mathews.  “We look forward to this day each year, seeing this wonderful day come is very special.”

These families were honored Monday, November 7th as Brown County commissioners proclaimed November 14th “Adoption Day” in Brown County.  The proclamation recognized these families for “providing the safe and loving homes these children deserve.”

Each of the children were given special bags from the Child Welfare Board which contained a Teddy Bear and other gifts inside (see picture below) to celebrate the occasion.

According to Kitty Cavanaugh of the Brown County Child Welfare Board, 31 adoptions were completed in the last year.

“These 14 will occur in one day and there are 45 more children ready and waiting to be adopted but have not been matched with a loving family,” stated Cavanaugh during commissioners’ court last week.

Below are pictures of the event.

Gift Bags presented to the children by the Child Welfare Board members.

Balloons released in celebration of Adoption Day.

Chlid Protective Services Caseworkers and Judge Hofmann.

Child Welfare Board Members