MARION — A new family was the center of attention at the Marion County Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday.
The family was to grow with the adoption of four Marion County foster children that would be concluded later in the day.
An emotional Candice thanked Marion County Children Services and commissioners for making their dreams come true through the adoption process that started three years ago.
“I can say for myself and my husband that this is one of the most special days that we are ever going to experience,” she said. “Since the kids came into our life 7 1/2 months ago … we hit the ground running.”
“And we’re still going,” said her husband, John.
“They want to be with us, so we want to have them,” his wife said.
Children services employees attended the meeting to accept a proclamation observing Marion County’s participation in National Adoption Awareness Month in November.
There are more than 3,000 children in Ohio in the foster system,
Cheryl Bowers, placement supervisor, said nine children have been adopted from foster homes in Marion County this year, and five more are in line to be adopted. There are 32 foster-family homes in Marion County.
There are many things that go into making a family, Bowers said. “So, you don’t have to be a perfect parent, but you do need to offer commitment and love to make that “forever family” each child deserves.
The crowd applauded as the family – with the four children in attendance – was recognized.
“It’s going to make a big difference in a lot of people’s lives what you are going to do here,” Commissioner Dan Russell said as he looked toward the children, ages 4, 5, 8 and 9.
Written by James Steven, Assistant Editor
Marion Star
(Edited by MCCS)