'Now We're A Family,' Long Island Families Finalize Adoptions

GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - November is National Adoption Month, giving hope to hundreds of thousands of children in need of a loving family.

On Monday, dozens of adoptions were finalized at the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City in celebration of National Adoption Day.

City sanitation worker Richard Watford and his wife Coretta beamed as they held their newly adopted one-year-old son Elijah who, according to Coretta, was a safe haven baby who was put in the foster system after he was left at Nassau County Medical Center.

The Baldwin couple rejoiced along with 15 other families when their adoptions were made final by a county judge.

"I was very excited. It was a wonderful moment and now we're a family," Coretta said.

As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reports, about 60 percent of adopted children come from foster homes.

Suffolk County photographer and graphic designer Rachel Volkel says that's where she fell in love with eight-year old Russel.

A single mother, Rachel says she's not worried about shouldering the load alone. She knows she can already count on her new little man.

"I want to be adopted forever because I love my mom," added Russel.

Frank and Tracey Valensis made their adoption of Bianca official. Bianca, who will soon turn six, will be joining a growing family including four other children and a grandson.

"Hopefully we can add another one," said Frank.

CBS2 reports that anyone can be adopted at any age, even individuals above 21.