More than 700 adoptive family members and advocates gathered at the Salt Palace Saturday to celebrate adoption as part of the National Council for Adoption's 25th anniversary Winter Carnival.

The adoption council, based in Washington, D.C., held the celebration in Salt Lake City for the first time this year to induct LDS Family Services into its hall of fame.

"We're here in Utah because LDS Family Services is one of the premier adoption agencies in the world, and we're here to celebrate all of the work done by LDS Family Services," said Thomas Atwood, council president. "This award represents their extraordinary professional and personal commitment to adoption."

Families were able to meet, share stories and play with other families at the carnival while playing a round of miniature golf, climbing on blow-up mountains or mastering booth games.

"It's just fun to come in and see how many people who are touched by adoption," said Brian Anderson.

Anderson and his wife, Christine, had their new son, Ashton, in tow. They adopted him after 11 years of marriage and numerous failed infertility treatments.

"So many birth moms out there made a choice and placed their children with loving couples. It's such a wonderful thing," Anderson said. "They could have gone with another alternative, but they chose adoption and blessed our lives — what a selfless thing to do."

As part of the celebration, Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who brought his own adopted daughter, Gracie Mei, and hosted the event, presented LDS Family Services with the award.

"(LDSFS) employees want to make the world a better place," said David McConkie, family services board of trustees member who accepted the award. "Where there is hope, there is love. 'I didn't give her up, I gave her more' and 'adoption, it's about love' — that is what LDS Family Services is about."

Fred Riley, family services commissioner since 1996, also was awarded as an individual inductee into the council's hall of fame.

Atwood said family services has done wonderful work, finding families for thousands of children worldwide. Begun in 1919, Family Services has worked hand in hand with the adoption council in promoting the best practices, strong ethical public policies and publicizing the goodness of adoption, he said.

"It's been a really positive day. When we were adopting, there was a lot of negative things out there, and it's nice to know that there is this positive side of it and that there are people out there who are like me," said Heidi Westbrook, an adoptive mother from Roy.

"There are so many people out there that are in my position that are so thankful for adoption. I just can't say enough good things about it."

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