(Upper Marlboro, MD — November 8, 2007) The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County will help adoptive parents welcome nine children into their families during a celebration of National Adoption Day on Thursday, November 15, in the Prince George’s County Court House, 14735 Main St., Upper Marlboro. The celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. following formal adoption proceedings.

“Adoptions happen every day without this kind of celebration, but this shines a light on the fact that there are children around us who need our help,” said Judy Woodall, a master with the Prince George’s County Circuit Court. Woodall, who is an adoptive parent, is one of the featured speakers for the event. “I’m single and I think I can be a kind of role model to show people that reaching out to help children is something that they can do.”

Participants will also hear from Karen Lynch, director of the county’s Department of Social Services (DSS), and Prince George’s Circuit Judge and adoptive parent Sherrie L. Krauser. The adoptive children and their families will then celebrate at a luncheon hosted by the DSS. Pepco and the Prince George’s County chapter of Jack & Jill, a national African-American family organization, and local Brownie troop 2370 will take part in the event.

Prince George’s County Circuit Judges Larnzell Martin, Jr.; Graydon S. McKee, III; and Melanie Shaw Geter will assist Judge William D. Missouri, circuit and county administrative judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Prince George’s County, and chief judge of the Seventh Circuit, in the adoption proceedings.

National Adoption Day is celebrated annually throughout the United States on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Last year, judges, attorneys, adoption professionals, child welfare agencies, and advocates helped to finalize the adoptions of more than 3,300 children from foster care, and events were held throughout the country to finalize adoptions and to celebrate all families who adopt.

Elsewhere in the state, the Baltimore Circuit Court and the Baltimore County Circuit Courts will celebrate National Adoption Day in special events on Saturday, November 17.

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(Editor’s note: Members of the media are invited to attend the ceremonies that follow the formal adoption proceedings. Media should call Judge Missouri’s chambers at (301) 952-3728 to arrange to attend and bring cameras. For more information about any of the events, call the Court Information Office at (410) 260-1488.)