- April 18, 2024
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Kevin the conductor drove both children and adults on a train at the carnival around Blue Jacket Park.
Deirdre Ochipinti, founder and host of the annual carnival and adoptive mother, and her sister Elizabeth Klein Snyder pose with Ochipinti’s book “Super Alec’s Very Super Day,” based off her adopted son Alec, at the adoption carnival.
Children at the carnival were offered superhero capes to wear as they participated in the carnival activities, which included a rock-climbing wall.
Vincent Tomaszewski had his face painted at the carnival with orange and black tiger stripes.
Kinsley Robinson-Clark laughed with joy as she takes a ride on Starlight the horse.
Kate Ochipinti, Deirdre Ochipinti, Pat Williams, Alec Ochipinti and Joe Ochipinti
Superman and Superwoman both attended the event. Deirdre Ochipinti said she has made it her mission to create awareness while honoring adoptive parents and children, as they are truly “real-life superheroes” to her.
Tracy and Piper Castellon grabbed some cotton candy at the carnival.
Kate Ochipinti tried to knock down clowns with green bean bags at one of the event’s carnival games.
Pat Williams and Deirdre Ochipinti celebrated the joy of adoption at the annual adoption carnival at Blue Jacket Park on Sunday, Nov. 21.
Baldwin Park celebrated adopted children and their parents Sunday, Nov. 21, at the second annual Children’s Adoption Carnival.
Deirdre Klein Ochipinti, a longtime Baldwin Park resident and adoptive mother, put together the carnival at Blue Jacket Park to raise awareness and educate on the adoption process. The carnival brought together local families and prominent business leaders in the community for an afternoon of fun, games, and food in celebration of National Adoption Month.
Deirdre was joined by several of her family members including her husband, Joe, and their adoptive children, Alec and Kate.
“It means the world to me and more that everyone came out today to honor our children and your children and showcase just how special they are,” Deirdre said at the event.
The free event was open to everyone, not just those in the adoption community, and included snacks, rock walls, bounce houses, face painting, horses, food trucks and more. “Heart of Adoptions” adoption agency was also in attendance and had a tent to educate and inform on the topic of adoption.
The event’s keynote speaker was Pat Williams, known for his work with the National Basketball Association, serving as the co-founder of the Orlando Magic and the former manager of the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams is also an adoptive father.
“I am very bullish on adoption; in fact, I’m very bullish on life,” Williams said. “I am aggressively pro-life, and it saddens me when you think of the millions of children over the years around the world that have had their life stuffed out. There are families around this country that would have adopted every child that has been aborted. Think of all the teachers, athletes, musicians and more that we may have lost.”
Williams said he has adopted 14 children from across the country. He also has four birth children.
“Our family we had a burden for other countries,” Williams said. “We never quite figured out how we were going to do it or how we were going to pay for it all, but the good news is we raised them, and they grew into be amazing people with amazing talents.”
Ochipinti plans to host the annual adoption carnival for many years to come and hopefully expand the event.
Next year’s carnival will take place Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022.
For more information, email Deirdre Ochipinti at [email protected].
