Bergen Vicinage to Celebrate National Adoption Day

The Bergen Vicinage will celebrate a virtual National Adoption Day on Friday, Nov.18 at 8:30 a.m., Assignment Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol announced. 

Superior Court Judge Jane Gallina-Mecca will finalize 14 adoptions. 

“Adoption Day is the extraordinary story of love over loss. We honor the resilience of our children and the remarkable human spirit of our adoptive families as they legally come together as one. We are grateful to the many stakeholders and resource families who make this day unforgettable,” Judge Mizdol said.

All participating families, including six children who were adopted in 2022, will receive Family Fun Night gift bags with gift cards, games, blankets, snacks, teddy bears, and personalized plaques. 

National Adoption Day is an annual event in which courts and communities in all 50 states come together to finalize thousands of adoptions and to celebrate families who adopt. This year marks the vicinage’s 14th consecutive year of participation in National Adoption Day. 

Participating in the event are the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, the Bergen County Surrogate’s Office, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Bergen County, and the vicinage’s Children in Court (CIC) Unit. 

Family Division Presiding Judge Peter Melchionne said Adoption Day is a day to celebrate the final journey of children into their forever families. His opening remarks can be viewed here: 

https://njcourts.zoomgov.com/j/1618139761?pwd=RzB6cTRycjAzUXhZL0dlTlZyL3RDQT09

Although adoption hearings are closed to the public, arrangements will be made for reporters to interview willing families upon conclusion of the adoption proceedings.