For just $25, parents or grandparents who live or work in Harford County can enter their infant or toddler to win a year of free preschool, $1,000 and more, all to benefit homeless children and families.
Got a cute baby or grandchild? If you are a parent or grandparent who lives or works in Harford County, starting March 7 you can enter him or her in the seventh annual “Celebree Presents Harford’s Most Beautiful Baby Contest.” Celebree is once again donating the grand prize: a full year of preschool valued at $9,000. To register, submit a photo of your beautiful baby and the $25 registration fee online at www.harfordbaby.org no later than April 11, 2016. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
The contest winner will be announced at a live event on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the center court at Harford Mall, located at 696 Belair Rd in Bel Air. All proceeds from the contest benefit Harford Family House, the non-profit organization which has been providing transitional housing for homeless families in Harford County since 1989.
This year there are two contest categories: infants, born between June 1, 2015 and April 11, 2016 and toddlers, born between June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015. The 10 babies in each age group who receive the most online votes will compete live for the title of Harford’s Most Beautiful Baby. Registration closes April 11; online voting is open from 12:01 a.m. April 14 through 11:59 p.m. on May 1. Finalists must be available to attend the live event on May 7. For a complete list of contest rules, visit www.harfordbaby.org.
The live contest will feature two rounds of judging with family-friendly entertainment between the two rounds. The first place infant will compete against the first place toddler for the title of Harford’s Most Beautiful Baby and the grand prize package: a full year of preschool courtesy of Celebree Learning Centers valued at $9,000, a $1,000 cash prize courtesy of APGFCU and other valuable gift certificates. The Beautiful Baby runner up and second place winners in each category will also receive generous prize packages.
Harford Family House Executive Director Joyce Duffy says, “Recognizing the beauty and potential of every child is what our organization is all about. We help homeless families stay together by providing safe, transitional housing and other resources to help them move from homelessness and hopelessness to hope and independence. This contest is a fun way to educate the community about our mission while raising money to support those efforts: every $25 entry fee equates to one night’s shelter for a homeless mother, father or child.”
The Harford’s Most Beautiful Baby Contest relies entirely on support from local businesses for its success. Celebree Learning Centers has signed on for the fifth year in a row as the title sponsor; other confirmed sponsors include Harford Mutual Insurance, Harford Mall, Rosedale Federal Savings & Loan Association, Harford Financial Group, Saxon’s Diamond Centers, Chesapeake Employers Insurance and APGFCU. To find out more about sponsorships and for other contest details, visit the event website at www.harfordbaby.org.
About Harford Family House
Harford Family House is the largest provider of transitional housing for homeless families with children in Harford County, and has been helping families in need for more than a quarter century. Other programs include Emergency Shelter for families and HUD Supportive Housing for homeless families where one of the family members has a disability. Clients are provided with a fully furnished apartment or house and receive case management services and referrals to partner agencies to move them from homelessness and hopelessness to hope and independence.
About Celebree
Celebree Learning Centers, headquartered in Lutherville, Maryland, is a leader in quality child care, with the mission to protect, educate and nurture children from ages six weeks through school age and is comprised of 23 community-based centers throughout Maryland and Delaware. Celebree was established by Richard Huffman in 1994 with the goal to provide communities in need with high quality child care and preschool services. Currently Celebree serves the families of more than 2,200 children and employs over 600 teachers and support professionals.
