“Today, there are five thousand children in the D.C. metropolitan area who are living in temporary care, waiting to be adopted. We need to make their dreams come true.”

These are the words of Janice Goldwater whose vision and determination have helped to conquer the challenge of finding permanent homes for children regardless of their age, race or health issues. Twenty-four years ago, she founded “Adoptions Together,” a non-profit agency to find “forever families” for hard-to-place children – and since then, her organization has found homes for more than 3,500 children and impacted thousands of families in the metropolitan D.C. area.

On Sept. 13, the Potomac community will come together to support the seventh annual “Taste In Potomac” at the Julia Bindeman Suburban Center, 11810 Falls Road in Potomac. The evening will feature food tastings from Potomac area restaurants, including Cava, Sugo Cicchetti, Hunter’s Inn, EN Bistro and Sushi, Mamma Lucia, Seasons 52, Old Angler’s Inn, Potomac Pizza, Potomac Deli Catering, Fortune Garden, Tally Ho, Seasons 52, Zoe’s Kitchen, Java Works, River Falls Tavern, The Irish Inn, Vie De France, Edible Arrangements and more.

Celebrity chefs from the Hunters Inn, Paladar, Silver Diner, Potomac Grocer, Cava, Sugo Cicchetti, Chef Geoff’s and Whole Foods will be available for cooking demonstrations and to answer culinary questions. Guests will have the opportunity to taste everything from lamb chops to shrimp, pasta to pizza, gourmet salads, appetizers and desserts. Total Wine is donating all of the wine for the event and Paul’s Wine will sponsor a “Wine Pull” raffle.

Every year, guests comment on the variety and amount of food and wine available for tasting. “No one leaves hungry or thirsty,” said Potomac’s Lisa Raker. The evening will go from 6:30-11:30 p.m.

“Adoptions Together works to ensure kids in our community grow up in strong and healthy families,” Adoptions Together Board Member Tom Burton said. “The Taste In Potomac is one way we come together to have a great time supporting the mission of this work, and we need more folks to join us. I encourage everyone to come see great chefs, sample incredible food as local restaurants showcase their specialties, bid on wonderful auction items, and join a great cause."

Three community citizens will be honored this year: Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown as the Adoption Advocate of the Year, Dimitri Moshovitis (Cava, Sugo Cicchetti) as the Restaurateur of the Year and Jane Philips, as the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.

Live and silent auction items will be featured which include a signed Manchester United Jersey, J.Hilburn Custom Clothing, a vacation in the Outer Banks, a Ritz Carlton- Cancun get-away, a fishing trip on the eastern shore on a private yacht with a captain, Raven’s tickets, Nationals tickets, restaurant certificates and more.

Some of the Platinum Sponsors are: Atlantic Valet, Yasmin Abadian of Long and Foster’s Team Potomac, The David S. Bender Charitable Fund and the Collins Investment Group.

“The Taste In Potomac is a great event that raises much-needed funds to help find permanent homes for children in foster care,” said Host Committee Member Randi Schweitzer. “We hope that the residents of Potomac will come out to support this very important event.”

Not only does Adoptions Together offer placement and reunification services to families and children of all ages and abilities, but they also offer counseling and expertise concerning the unique needs of children and families touched by adoption and/or foster care.

One of Goldwater’s favorite quotes is “Every child … Every family … Every step of the way.” For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, contact mdevine@adoptionstogether.org or call her at 301-439-2900.