18 children adopted during heartwarming shamrock-themed celebration

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Wednesday was a lucky day for more than a dozen local families in Duval County.

During the Family Support Services’ first-ever “Shamrock Adoption Celebration” in downtown Jacksonville, 18 children were formally embraced into their forever families.

The families were encouraged to wear green, and there were pots of chocolate gold for the children.

Related: ‘Thankful that we will all be together’: 8 children adopted during special ceremony in St. Johns County

There were also several adoptions including sibling groups.

News4JAX spoke with a family who had some advice for others going through the adoption process.

“Hold on and have patience,” one mother said. “The child might be ready but emotionally it’s a roller coaster. There’s light at the end of the tunnel but you’ll get there.”

Since July 1, Family Support Services has overseen the adoptions of 156 local children from the First Coast foster care system and surpassed their goal of 161 adoptions for the fiscal year with this event.

For more information about how to foster or adopt a local child in care, go to familysupport.org.