Nearly 1,000 Nebraska kids find a home every year through adoption. Saturday, they were honored in Kearney, Hastings, and Grand Island as part of National Adoption Day. 

After losing a biological child, Bill and Cindy Lammers not only felt the urge to adopt, but to parent a special needs child.

"It's our calling. Our child was a cerebral palsy," Bill said.

Now Ryan, who's autistic, joins hands with his new siblings, twins who were also adopted. A chance to see fire trucks and police cars up close is any kids dream; but the Lammers realize Ryan's short attention span won't keep the family in one spot very long. 

"We feel like we were more educated, prepared to deal with kids with special needs. And
there's a real need, because not everybody's willing to do that."
 

The adoption protection and safety coordinator in Grand Island realizes that. Marge Creason said all 18 families here have a different reason for adopting, like the Starrs, who were unable to have children of their own.

"From not thinking you're going to have any children ever, to having two in your life that you
love dearly, it's just a blessing for us," Jim Starr said.

"This is a happy time. I know permanency is very important for these kids and their families," Creason said. 

With adoptions finalized, the Lammers and Starrs can focus on their blended families, right in time for the season where family...means everything. 

"Just the Holidays, Christmas is what we're looking forward to most," Jim said.

Reporter's Notes: Stacia Kalinoski

This is the 3rd year Grand Island has hosted a formal ceremony, which recognizes all adoptions in the last year. Grand Island had 24 children find a new home this year.