Adoption Day 2025 a success for Suffolk Courts

Families and relatives eagerly anticipated their turn with the judge to make their adoptions official at the Long Island Aquarium Friday for Adoption Day 2025, an annual celebration put on by the Suffolk County Bar Association and the Suffolk County Courts around National Adoption Day, which takes place Nov. 21. 

The parents and their nine adoptees gathered in the main part of the aquarium to hear remarks from local officials, judges, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, and special guests the Hebert family, who adopted a daughter from foster care last year.

“For our family, that’s why [adoption] is rooted in faith. We believe that true joy doesn’t come from material goods, but from giving one’s self away,” said Justin Hebert. 

While adoptions are taking place throughout the year, the adoption day event is extra special, with facepainting, pictures with a Disney princess and a children’s book author on hand signing their books. There is a private room where the judge presides over each family’s adoption proceedings, and then the families are invited to a breakfast banquet.

“I want to thank my adoptive parents for helping me on my very stressful journey and making my life better,” Lily Hebert said. 

The families also gain access to the aquarium during the celebration, so they are able to enjoy the exhibits in private, making the experience even more special. Custom t-shirts were also available to the children and their adoptive families. 

There were surprise guest appearances from Long Island Ducks mascot QuackerJack and therapy dogs from the Suffolk County Police Department.

Children in attendance each received specially embroidered backpacks donated by Jockey as part of its Being Family Foundation. The backpacks were filled with stuffed animals, toys and other mementos as parting gifts for the kids.