Celebration Planned for November 15th in Nanuet and West Haverstraw
New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day, and Commissioner of Social Services Joan Silvestri announced that for the 12th year in a row staff from the Rockland County Department of Social Services’ (DSS) Children’s Services Unit will join with local Wendy’s locations in Nanuet and West Haverstraw on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, to celebrate National Adoption Month and to increase awareness of the need for foster families.
Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas (1932-2002) was adopted as an infant. This experience had a lifelong impact on him and as a result he spent much of his life promoting the cause of adoption. In 1992, he founded the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption based on his belief that every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family.
On November 15th, Wendy’s restaurants in Nanuet and West Haverstraw will provide free meals to foster and adoptive families in Rockland County in honor of Dave Thomas. The restaurants are operated by Wenesco Restaurants; owners Kevin Woodside and Phillip Anastos are carrying on Dave Thomas’ legacy in our communities. With their continued support of adoption, Rockland County Department of Social Services is partnering with them to increase awareness of the need for foster families.
Foster home recruitment is a key element to the success of adoptions in our diverse county. Over the past 12 years, 80 children in Rockland County have been adopted by their foster families.
“We are grateful to Wendy’s for partnering with us for the 12th consecutive year to raise awareness of the need for caring and loving foster homes and to recognize the tireless efforts and compassion of our adoptive and foster care parents,” said Joan Silvestri, Commissioner of the Department of Social Services.
If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a foster parent, please stop by Wendy’s in Nanuet or West Haverstraw on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“Fostering a child is a truly special opportunity to change a young person’s life,” said County Executive Ed Day. “I urge anyone who has ever thought of being a foster parent to get more information about what would be a truly special gift for both you and the child.”