HALIFAX — For children in foster care, sometimes things can be difficult. And having to carry their belongings in plastic bags is added insult.

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So members of the local SaySo chapter held a suitcase drive recently and were distributing the collected luggage Saturday at the Halifax County Department of Social Services adoption celebration.

“Sometimes when children come into foster care, all they have is a trashbag,” said Shanita Dildy-Goings. “It is really humiliating.”

She added they were trying to help. “So they can have something of their own,” she said.

In addition suitcases being distributed at the celebration, there was games for children, cotton candy, candied apples and plenty of food. Lunch was provided by Gaston Grill.

Michael Felt, Halifax DSS director, said Gov. Beverly Perdue proclaimed November as adoption month.

“This is all about celebration and educating people about adoption,” he said.

The adoption celebration started in 1999 for the county.

Currently, in the county, there are 41 children in the foster care system with seven adoptions finalized in the 2008-09 year.

About 10-12 years ago, there were about 115 children in the system, he said.

“Now we only have 41,” Felt said. “This is the highest we’ve had in 18 months.”

Carolyn E. Poythress, children’s services program manager, said she hopes people will open their hearts to adoption.

Poythress and staff wear T-shirts proclaiming this message. The goal of DSS is to have permanency for all the children in their care in 12 months.

“We work with parents looking for children and children looking for parents,” she said.

Robert and Thelma Dildy, of Rocky Mount, believe so strongly in being foster parents that when they moved from Halifax to Nash County, they still remained foster parents for Halifax County.

“We wanted to do something for the kids,” Thelma Dildy said. “We wanted to make sure they felt loved and had a place to call home.”

The Dildys have been foster parents for 18 years, have four biological children and have adopted two children.

She encouraged people to give adoption a chance especially adopting teenagers.

“They are hard to place since most (families) want babies or small children,” she said. “All teens are not bad or doing drugs.”

Robert Dildy added, “They just need love.”

Thelma Dildy said if you give them a chance, you will be surprised. “You can learn from them and they can learn from you,” she said.

For them, the celebration is a chance to connect with other foster parents. “I love it,” she said. “It is everyone coming together.”

William and Tammy Perkinson have adopted three children — Zack, 10, Cole, 5, and Hayley, 2.

Tammy Perkinson said she knew she always wanted children. She adopted Zack as a single parent.

“I love children and want to give them a chance in life,” she said. “I feel like I gave three kids a good chance at life.”

Perkinson admits she doesn’t see them as her adoptive children. “I couldn’t love them anymore if they were my blood,” she said.

She encouraged people to give adoption a chance and not to be afraid.

“It’s not easy,” Perkinson said. “You will have ups and downs but it is worth it.”

She said the adoption celebration was a wonderful thing done for the families. “They go over and beyond to put this on,” Perkinson said. “We participate every year.”

Doris Brooks has been a foster parent for six years and adopted daughter, Carol. She also has two biological adult children.

“She had been with us five years,” Brooks said. “The bond was so deep that we couldn’t let her go. We loved her and she loved us. There would have been a void.”

Being a foster parent, she said, comes from the heart. “If you are doing it because you enjoy it, you will fall in love with the child and won’t let them go,” Brooks said. “You will give every means to make sure they have a better life than what he or she came from.”

Eleven year-old Carol said she is happy to be with the Brooks. “Being with the Brooks has opened up many possibilities for me,” she said.

One of the biggest misconceptions which Poythress finds people think is Social Services kicks young adults out of the foster care program at 18.

“We don’t do that,” she said. “We do a lot of work with the kids getting them ready before they age out.”

DSS has an independent living worker who works with the young adults until they are age 21.

Poythress said those interested in being foster parents, can call Halifax County Social Services at 252-536-6500.