'Love Has No Last Name'

By SARAH HOYE The Tampa Tribune

Published: Nov 22, 2007

TAMPA - It's about thanks and giving for the Ferstl family.

On Wednesday, in a courtroom filled with caregivers, caseworkers and family, three teenage siblings were adopted by Keith and Sherri Ferstl, who married in 2001 and already have seven children from previous marriages.

With the addition of Raymond, 17, Erica, 16 and Joseph, 14, that makes 12 sitting around today's Thanksgiving table.

"We're glad to be able to provide a home and love, but they bring so much more to our family," said Keith Ferstl, 56. "We get a lot more back than we give."

The close-knit siblings have lived mostly in separate foster homes since 2001, after their primary caregiver no longer could care for them.

Wednesday was especially sweet for 17-year-old Raymond, who would have become ineligible for adoption on his 18th birthday - which is Friday. He did not want to miss a chance to belong to a family.

"I feel a lot better than being in a foster or group home," said Raymond, smiling wide. "It feels like I'm at home again. It's like, wow, someone out there actually loves me."

The path to Wednesday's adoption was first forged a couple of years ago when the Ferstl's youngest son, Connor, now 13, took an interest in a number of his classmates who were in foster care. The Ferstls became guardians ad litem in January to provide a voice for children in the system.

Heart Gallery Touched Theirs

Discussions about possibly adopting turned serious after the couple saw the Heart Gallery, a photo exhibit of children needing families, at an area mall and later read a newspaper article about it. The Heart Gallery is a partnership between the Children's Board of Hillsborough County and Hillsborough Kids Inc., dedicated to finding adoptive homes for foster children.

There are 500 foster children in Hillsborough County. The project has found adoptive families for more than 40 percent of the children featured in the gallery.

The Ferstls went to the Heart Gallery opening in February and later attended a "meet-n-greet" with children at Gameworks' Jax Grill. That's where they met Raymond, Erica and Joseph, and were touched immediately.

"When we first thought of adoption, we assumed everyone would tell us we were crazy. But no one has said that to us," said Sherri Ferstl, 45, a second-grade teacher at Roland Park School. "We think the kids are the true blessings. … Our family is made up of many last names, but love has no last name."

"I could come up with excuses, but not reasons to not take them," said Keith Ferstl, director of sales for Sega Amusement Works.

A Great Way To Start Holidays

On Wednesday, Judge Rex Barbas, who has brought together several families, kept the mood light telling jokes and sharing his personal experience with adoption.

"I enjoy adoptions and like making a big deal out of them," he said, adding that his daughter, sister and father are all adopted. Wednesday's proceedings were the first time he completed an adoption for a 17-year-old. "It's not very common for teens to get adopted. … What better way to start the holidays?"

Sherri held Keith's hand and blotted her watery eyes with a tissue while Barbas, seated between the siblings, swiftly signed the official paperwork. Once finished, he shook their hands as the family hugged one another before heading to Gameworks to celebrate.

"Today was a Thanksgiving miracle and now this family will always be together," said Carolyn Eastman, spokeswoman for the Children's Board of Hillsborough County. "Adoption is a decision you make with your heart, not your head."

To learn more about the Heart Gallery and how you can help children in foster care, visit

heartgallerytampabay.org.

Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.