This Thanksgiving, many Michigan families will have special reason to give thanks: the addition of new family members through adoption on Michigan’s sixth annual Adoption Day.

Thirty Michigan counties are holding Adoption Day events on or about November 25, the date designated by the Michigan Supreme Court as “Michigan Adoption Day”; about 200 adoptions will be finalized. The event is co-sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Department of Human Services, the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), and the Family Services division of the State Court Administrative Office.

Local events include finalizing adoptions and parties for adoptive families. Some counties are holding informational open houses with speakers and information about the adoption process.

Chief Justice Clifford W. Taylor noted that, while adoption finalization hearings are usually private, many participating courts are opening their adoption hearings to the public. “Michigan Adoption Day gives the public a window into the adoption process,” Taylor said. “This is a celebration of adoption, but it’s also very much about educating the public as to the challenges and great rewards of being an adoptive or foster parent.”

In addition to local court events, the Michigan Supreme Court is hosting the Heart Gallery, a photographic exhibit of Michigan children waiting to be adopted, at the Michigan Hall of Justice from Nov. 12 – 25. The Heart Gallery is a project of MARE; the exhibit is located on the first floor of the Hall of Justice and may be viewed Monday – Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. Admission is free.

Anyone interested in adopting a child may contact MARE at (800) 589-6273 or visit the web site at www.mare.org . For more information about adoption, go to www.michigan.gov/dhs. For information about Michigan Adoption Day events, visit www.courts.michigan.gov.