Adoption event at Boys & Girls Club

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Sunday was possibly one of the most important days in the lives of dozens of Springfield area couples and just as many foster children who want to be adopted.

All of these children are now in foster care. They'd much rather be part of what's called a “forever family”. The Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange arranged this sports day at the Springfield Boys and Girls Club.

Caryn Leong of Williamsburg told 22News what motivated her to adopt a child.

“When you think about when you were a child, you always wanted your family to acknowledge the things that you've accomplished, these kids don't have that,” said Leong. “They don't have the luxury of going home to a family every day.”

Which is exactly why little Ashley Perez would dearly love to be adopted. The child told 22News what being adopted would mean to her.

Perez said, “It means a lot to me because I'm still a foster kid and I really haven't had a family in a really long time.”

Kurt Richardson and his wife traveled from Turners Falls with the intention of connecting with a child they could adopt. Richardson told 22News how he feels about adoption.

Richardson said, “There are a lot children, not just in the state, but across the country, they don't have forever families I feel we can give them a forever family.”

We learned that Western Massachusetts has more children up for adoption than available families who might provide them with a forever family.