Adoption Picnic

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During the first Adoption Picnic sponsored by the Rotary Club of Homosassa Springs in November 2009, Debbie and Bob Hurley came hoping to meet children looking for an adoptive family.  After two and a half years of applications, training, interviews and home evaluations, the Hurley's were losing hope of ever becoming adoptive parents.  Debbie Hurley stated that she came to the picnic not really expecting a positive outcome. 

She and her husband, Bob were happily surprised when they had the opportunity to meet Roseanne, a 13 year old girl living in a group foster home.  Both Debbie and Robert watched Roseanne from a distance and felt an immediate connection to the quiet young girl with expressive eyes.  It was several months later that the Hurley's were able to meet Roseanne again and learn that she had a younger sister, Kayla age 10 who was living in a separate foster home.  Debbie and Bob knew at that moment they wanted to adopt both girls and began the process of getting to know the girls and establishing bonds.  The girls officially became part of a new family joining the Hurley's in June of the following year.

Debbie Hurley credits the Adoption Picnic with making her dream of having a family come true.  She stated, "I had given up all hope of ever adopting children until that day in November when I met Roseanne for the first time." 

This year The Homosassa Club honored 23 children from Citrus County who were adopted during the past year. Rotary's Adoption Picnics are designed to be positive and non threatening events which bring children and adults together to form forever homes.

Chris Nast and MaryBeth Nayfield place wrist bands on the children

There was a lot for the kids to do. Facepainting was a big hit!

Luke Todd, Gregg Mackler, Moira Romeo, Gordon Smith and John Romeo

getting set up for the adoption picnic.

John Romeo and Luke Todd cooking burgers and dogs for the kids

The Homosassa Attraction is a great place to take a walk