Blog #201~Baby with Down syndrome named 2018 Gerber Baby
The 2018 Gerber baby was just named last month, and he is Lucas Warren, the first child with Down syndrome to receive the honor. The 18-month-old from Dalton, Ga., was selected as “2018 Gerber Spokesbaby” from more than 140,000 photos submitted by parents.
“Lucas’ winning smile and joyful expression won our hearts this year, and we are all thrilled to name him our 2018 Spokesbaby,” Bill Partyka, president and CEO of Gerber, said in a press release. “Every year, we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber’s longstanding heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby, and this year, Lucas is the perfect fit.
The original Gerber baby was Ann Turner Cook, who recently celebrated her 91st birthday. The black-and-white sketch of her face from 1927 became Gerber’s iconic logo. Since then, the company has received a myriad of photos from parents who see their own babies in the famous sketch.
Eight years ago, Gerber launched the Photo Search to celebrate these adorable babies. Lucas’s winning smile and joyful expression won their hearts, this year. His mother, Cortney Warren was extremely proud:
“This is such a proud moment for us as parents knowing that Lucas has a platform to spread joy, not only to those he interacts with every day, but to people all over the country.
We hope this opportunity sheds light on the special needs community and educates people that with acceptance and support, individuals with special needs have the potential to change the world ― just like our Lucas!”
Congratulations to Lucas! Thank you Gerber for recognizing the beauty in all children, and taking an inclusive stance by selecting a baby with Down syndrome. Every baby really is, a Gerber baby!
That’s what is in my noggin this week.
~Teresa 🙂
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