17th Circuit Court Seeks Stuffed Animal Donations for 28th Annual Adoption Day and Year-Round Support for Adopted Children

Community Invited to Support Foster and Adoptive Families through Donations

Kent County, MI (November 7, 2024) - The Kent County 17th Circuit Court is pleased to announce its 28th Annual Adoption Day on December 5, celebrating the journey of children finding their forever homes and raising awareness about foster care and adoption. With over 10,000 children currently in Michigan's foster care system-2,100 of whom may be waiting for their forever families at any time-the need for permanent, loving homes remains urgent. In Kent County alone, Family Court judges facilitate more than 200 adoptions annually.

New this year, Kent County is inviting community members to donate new stuffed animals or plush toys for the adopted children as they join their forever families. These gifts will be available for children of all ages, including teens, to select after their adoption is finalized, offering a sense of warmth and belonging as they begin a new chapter. Donations of all types- from classic stuffed animals to character plush toys - are welcome.

"Adoption Day is a powerful opportunity to raise awareness, dispel myths, and celebrate the more than 200 adoptions our judges oversee each year," said Holly Hernandez, Kent County Adoption Case Worker. "We encourage the community to donate stuffed animals or plush toys to provide these children a warm welcome as they join their new families."

Donations can be dropped off at the designated county locations listed below, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., through December 6. Please note that county offices will be closed on November 11 for Veterans Day and on November 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving.

Donation Drop-Off Locations

You can drop off your donation at any of the following:

• Kent County Administrator's Office - 300 Monroe Avenue NW, 3rd Floor, Grand Rapids
• Kent County Community Action - 121 M.L.K. Jr St SE #110, Grand Rapids
• Kent County Health Department - 700 Fuller Avenue NE, Grand Rapids
• Kent County Health Department, South Clinic -- 4700 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Kentwood
• Kent County North Campus - 4191 17 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs
• Kent County Sheriff''s Office - 701 Ball Avenue NE, Administration Building Main Lobby, Grand Rapids
• Kent County 17^th Circuit Court ­ ­- 180 Ottawa Ave NW, 1st and 3rd Floor, Grand Rapids
• Kent County 63rd District Court - 1950 E Beltline Ave NE, Window Counter in the Main Lobby, Grand Rapids

The goal is to collect 250 new stuffed animals or plush toys to mark this year's event. Gifts will be distributed to children on Adoption Day and throughout the year, celebrating adoptions and providing comfort to children as they join their new families.

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