New City, NY - County Executive Ed Day, and Deputy Commissioner of Social Services Monica Leahy-Kastner are proud to announce that for the 14th year in a row staff from the Rockland County Department of Social Services’ (RCDSS) Children’s Services Unit will join with local Wendy’s locations in Nanuet and West Haverstraw on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 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 19th, 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 14 years, 92 children in Rockland County have found their forever homes with the assistance and support of stakeholders like Wendy’s.

“We thank Wendy’s for partnering with us to shine a light on the importance of providing loving foster homes to children in need, as well as recognizing the unwavering commitment and compassion of our adoptive and foster care parents for the 14th consecutive year,” said Monica Leahy-Kastner, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Social Services.

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a foster parent or the adoption process, please stop by Wendy’s in Nanuet or West Haverstraw on Wednesday, November 19th, from 4 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 a truly special gift for would be both you and the child.”

Anyone interested in becoming a Foster Parent can visit our website www.fosterrockland.com or email rocklandhomefinding@dfa.state.ny.us.

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