13 Foster Children Officially Adopted During L.I. Ceremony

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Thirteen foster children now have forever families after a formal adoption ceremony at the Long Island Children's Museum on Monday.

The event was part of National Adoption Day, which is Saturday.

"This is a wonderful and inspiring celebration. Nassau County is dedicated to building and strengthening our families. We are devoted to ensuring every child freed for adoption has a permanent, loving family," Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano said in a statement. "Our goal is a family for every child and we are fortunate to have a number of foster and adoptive families who want to provide children in foster care with permanence."

The Garden City event draws attention to the 400,000 children in foster care nationwide who need permanent homes.

"There are nearly 400,000 children in the foster care system and each year thousands age out without the security that comes from a place to call home," said Tara Carlo of the Nassau County Department of Social Services.

Holli Haerr, a reporter and anchor at 1010 WINS, officially adopted her son, Kevin, who will celebrate his second birthday next month.

"Being a parent is definitely life-changing," Haerr said. "I've thought about him as being mine for a long time in my heart and now it's on paper. So it's official."

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