Down in “Whoville,” the Southeast Texas edition, the tall and the small gathered for Jefferson County’s Adoption Day, a standing tradition. Held Nov. 21, uncoincidentally coinciding with the national namesake Nov. 22, the local event is not one with which to reckon.
With thousands of balloons and baubles, and treats as far as the eye can see, the family court hall was decorated in a cheerful, Christmassy theme. Lights adorned the entryway where families could take photos and show off their smiles, and munch on treats or play games to pass the while. And throughout the courtroom, event organizers gussied up for the occasion, including presenting Judge Randy Shelton, who dressed up as the titular Grinch persuasion.
Whoville’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” served as the decorative muse, but the Grinch from this celebration brought only good news. Maybe because his heart is so huge, Shelton’s Grinch arrived with cheers instead of boos.
Children to be welcomed into forever families lined the Grinch’s judicial bench and welcomed gifts of good loot, including big baskets and homemade rocking horse toys – and a new family, to boot!
In the background, along the courtroom aisles and bustling to make ready goodies up and down the halls, the village of Whoville-agers blended into the façade but were appreciated by all.
* * *
Jefferson County’s annual Adoption Day, which took place Nov. 21 this year, is no small feat for the dozens of volunteers making the dream a reality. Along with identifying and placing children with families that have now become their own, staff and volunteers of local civic and social organizations and groups spend months getting ready for the big day – securing attorneys for the families and children, acquiring presents for each child adopted, turning the Jefferson County Courthouse into a magical wonderland fit for a child’s most happy memories… the list of tasks is near endless.
Thankfully, for the families served by the local Adoption Day event, the support offered to participants is as exhaustive as the work to be performed. Jefferson County 279th District Court Judge Randy Shelton, clad in the fuzzy greenness of the Grinch from Dr. Seuss’ “Whoville,” was entrusted with the great task of trying to name all those involved in making the day truly momentous, including the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Southeast Texas, the Texas Family Care Network, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and the Jefferson County Bar Association (JCBA).
But, wait, there were more: Accompanied by God’s Love, America’s Angels Child Placing Agency, Arrow Child and Family Ministries, Be Eventful of SETX (photo booth), Buckner International, Crumbl Cookies, Erin Davis and Allison Miller (balloons), Faith 2 Faith Foster Care and Adoption, Gladney Center for Adoption, Hobson Bradley Law Firm, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, District Clerk Jamie Smith, the Family Law Division, Family Courts, the Child Welfare Board and the Monarch Family Services, the National Adoption Day Coalition, Reaud Morgan and Quinn, Two Magnolias Catering and the 60th District Court.
JCBA attorneys, who worked without charge, included Abbey Chirafis, Laurel Henagan, Jane Leger, Valerie Lewis, Nadine Ona, Sheigh Rhodes, Colette Shelander, Mark Sparks, Jonathan Stovall, Hannah Sutton and Debra Wester.
Additionally, an Adoption Day Committee encompassed a group including Whitney Bell, Maritz A. Barrera, Kirsten Bernard, Michelle Brister, Laura Campbell, Rene Crum, Bonnie Dean, Judge Gordon Friesz, Ronnie Guidry, Tara Ford, Kimberly James, Randi King, Melissa Kirchmer, Damaris Miranda, Joseph Melonson, Tami Norrell, Shari Pulliam, Christin Resch, Aliyah Rivers, Judge Randy Shelton, Randi Smith, Shelby Stiles, Kelly Webster and Shaniqua Wilson.
The dedication and hard work of the mostly behind-the-scenes “Grinch’s helpers” ensures that the pre-Thanksgiving annual adoption extravaganza goes off without a hitch year in and year out. Over 387 children have been adopted into 281 families in the 25 years Jefferson County has participated in the annual event, Shelton said. Additionally, more than 400 similar adoption events are held nationwide to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children in foster care.
“There’s just so much that goes into the adoption process,” Shelton said. “It’s heavy work done with big hearts.”
The judge/ Grinch also emphasized how the Adoption Day the process is streamlined so families can focus on the joy of the day, with waived fees for birth certificates and adoption fees.
“As you can see, I’ve come straight from Mount Crumpit to preside today,” Shelton said in character as the Grinch. “I was planning to steal your presents, but these adoptions stole my heart.”
Jefferson County Bar Association President Dustin Galmor, who works in criminal defense, said he was not used to so much joy and excitement in the courtroom.
“Usually, my client is crying … sometimes the judge is in a Grinch mood,” Galmor joked as a baby cried in the crowd and made Galmor feel more at ease. “(But) today we are celebrating a family’s love growing three sizes right here in the courtroom. An entire village stepping up … so thank you to everyone who helped make this happen. Your kindness can soften even the Grinch himself.”
Overall, 19 children were adopted into 12 families Nov. 21 in front of a courtroom of well-wishers:
- Gianna Marie Roman was adopted by Lessie and Bryant Roman.
- Leikyn Nicole Garcia and Xayden Martin Garcia were adopted by Jessica and Martin Garcia.
- Ryan Ashton Perez was adopted by Heather Perez and Daniel Perez-Rosalez.
- Parker Woods Best was adopted by Grace and Caleb Best.
- Oluwafoladara Juliana Ayodele was adopted by Adebola and Olusegun Ayodele.
- Jasiah Deshawn Parker, Calil Queen Parker, and Jaci Kauntae Parker were adopted by Demerti Leday and Robert Parker.
- Elijah Saint Micah Moore, Javier Saint Micah Moore and Vaughn Saint Micah Moore were adopted by Stacy Moore.
- Gage Anthony Aviles, John Garrett Aviles and Mercy Diane Aviles were adopted by Christine and Robert Cuellar.
- Felix James Fugitt was adopted by Laura and Stephen Fugitt.
- Elizabeth Catherine Schleier was adopted by April and Jeffrey Schleier.
- Luis Andres Munoz Suarez and Maria Clarissa Munoz Suarez were adopted by Karla Suarez Garcia and Carlos Munoz.
“My goal is to get a good future for them,” Carlos Munoz said of the newest additions to the family. “It’s been a long journey, but we are happy now because it’s what we want. We are a family now.”
“We went through the Gladney adoption agency, and it took a year to find our little girl … we’re just so happy to have her in our family…(and) now she completes our family,” April Schleier shared.
The festivities concluded with a reception in the halls filled with laughter and wide beaming smiles from the children, parents, and relatives alike. Unlike the usual rough and harrowing cases that occur, for at least one day out of the year, there’s a reason to celebrate in the courtroom, all agreed.