Brody Hawk was the winner of the FYI Annual Baby Contest at the Heritage of Flight Festival.  15 babies were entered into the contest and over the course of the festival the contest brought in $522 for votes for the babies.    This money will be used for cribs and car seats and other essentials for the babies whose parents are involved in The Women’s Network.   As Executive Director of FYI Pat Banaszak said, “This is such a great way for babies to help other babies.   We cherish each baby whose mom comes in for help.   Over the years, our Women’s Network has helped thousands of parents learn how to be the best parents they can be, and as they learned they earned points and they got free cribs, clothing, pack ‘n plays, and so many other things for their babies.  This is what we have done for over 40 years and hope to continue for years to come.”

Second place winner in the donation based contest was Clara Taylor of Medway.   She will also receive a Walmart Card for her parents to spend on her.    FYI also had a random draw of all the names to give a first and second place prize to another very lucky baby.   First place went to Piper Lyons, of Medway, and second place went to Maylee Lewis, of New Carlisle.  They will both receive prizes.

This contest is run each year at the festival.   All of Family and Youth Initiatives thanks everyone who was involved this year and appreciates the support the community gives each year.  As Julie Daniels, director of the New Carlisle Network says,  “We are trained to just love on each of the clients who come to us.   Many of our mothers have been hurt by so many challenges in their young lives, our job is to love them unconditionally and try to give them the tools that will help them to be the best moms they can be.   In the past few years, we also have a lot of dads come in for help as well and we help them realize their importance in their child’s life.   We are excited when they want to state involved.   Whether or not the parents get married is not the challenge.   Knowing their role and understand what it takes to raise their child with values, gives them a big help to being good involved parents.   That’s what we want and we are excited when we see them come back to show us their children.”

If you have a baby under 3 years of age and are interested in getting more information about this program, please call the office at 845-0900.    All families with children under 3 are invited and encouraged to sign up and join.   We would love to have you as clients.