CASSOPOLIS — Cass will be one of 33 counties celebrating Michigan’s 10th annual Adoption Day.

Cass County celebrates at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Law and Courts Building, 60296 M-62.

“We will be finalizing four adoptions and Justice Stephen Markman will be our guest,” according to Probate Register Donna Dodd.

Timed to coincide with Thanksgiving, many Michigan families will be “giving thanks for families” by celebrating the addition of new members.

The Michigan Supreme Court designated Nov. 20 as “Michigan Adoption Day.”

The event is co-sponsored by the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Department of Human Services and the Child Welfare Services division of the State Court Administrative Office.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert P. Young, Jr. said Michigan Adoption Day provides a valuable window into the adoption process.

“Adoption finalization hearings are usually private,” the chief justice said. “But on Adoption Day, the participating families and courts open these hearings to the public, allowing others to witness the final stage of the adoption process. We hope the experience may inspire others to consider adoption and will call attention to the needs of the young people who remain in foster care.”

“All children deserve a safe, loving and stable home,” former justice and current DHS Director Maura D. Corrigan said. “Our department has undertaken significant reforms to make sure we’re doing our part to make that happen. Because of our efforts and those of our partners, more children are leaving Michigan’s foster care system for permanent homes.”

There are approximately 3,000 children in Michigan’s foster care system with the goal of adoption; there were 2,538 completed adoptions in fiscal year 2012.