National Adoption Month: 14 Children Get Permanent Homes In Montco
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - A ceremony in Montgomery County recognizing National Adoption Month wrapped up Friday with 14 children officially getting their permanent families.
Newly-minted adoptive father Jason Szambelak says this brings a close to what's been a two-year process:
"Now it's time that they're officially going to be ours. I've never seen a better family than the one I have right now."
He says he never imagined himself adopting, but…
"We had the ability to give back and to these three loving kids."
Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh says the ceremony not only acknowledges these children who now have permanent homes, but also the hundreds of who are still searching:
"Right here in Pennsylvania there are 2,365 children waiting for a permanent home. We're taking care of 14 of those today, but clearly we have a lot more work to do."
Montgomery County Judge Lois Eisner Murphy says presiding over adoptions is the most rewarding part of her job:
"We're really just minor players in this play, the stars of the play are the children and we're going to focus on them this morning and their bright futures."
Director of the office of Children and Youth, Laurie O'Connor, adds adoption is a "unique and defining moment:"
"It's a happily ever after for all the children in the room and the parents alike."
