Sumter City mayor proclaims November 2024 National Adoption Month, urges more foster parents

Mayor David Fe Merchant proclaimed November 2024 as National Adoption Month for Sumter City on Nov. 9, marking the date as National Adoption Day and urging residents to consider fostering or adopting children in need.

Speaking from the Swan Lake Visitor Center after an event with families and children, Mayor Merchant read the proclamation and said the month is intended to "highlight families all month long" and celebrate the "great story of family" formed through foster care and adoption. He noted that Nov. 9 is observed as National Adoption Day.

Merchant, who identified himself during the remarks as an adopted child, said his own experience shaped his message. "As an adopted child myself, it's just really great to be able to share that, to share my story with so many around the community," he said, adding that adoption "doesn't define who you are" and that parents and children can thrive together.

The mayor used the proclamation to call attention to the ongoing need for foster and adoptive parents in the community and encouraged residents to learn how to get connected with local services and events during the month. "We also want to highlight just the need for more foster parents, adopted parents, and just how you can get connected and get involved," he said.

No formal council vote or other board action was recorded in the remarks; the event consisted of the reading of the proclamation, personal remarks and community outreach encouragement. Merchant closed by thanking attendees and urging the community to follow activities planned throughout the month.

Next steps: the mayor encouraged residents to attend local events and contact municipal or partner child-welfare organizations for information on fostering and adoption; details on follow-up events were not specified in the remarks.