The new Gerber baby has been crowned.
Akil “Sonny” McLeod from Arizona has been named the winner of the 14th annual Gerber Photo Search Contest.
Sonny caught the attention of the selection committee, which for the first time consisted of parents of previous Gerber babiesaccording to a press release from the company.
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The winning photo captured the essence of Sonny’s name, as it shows him wearing a bright yellow outfit with a toy sun hanging in the background.
As this year’s winner, Sonny will be featured on Gerber social networks marketing channels and campaigns throughout the year.
The McLeod family received $25,000 in cash, free Gerber products for a year and a new wardrobe for Sonny. (The McLeod Family)
According to the company, the McLeod family received $25,000 in cash, free Gerber products for a year, a new wardrobe provided by Gerber Childrenswear and prizes from other early childhood brands.
“Sonny immediately captured our hearts with his joyful smile and his family’s heartwarming demonstration of what it means to grow up with love.”
Gerber announced that he would also match Sonny’s cash prize with a donation to support the March of Dimes. maternal and child health program.
“After an incredible 14 years of photo research, this year we are grateful to our past Gerber Baby families for joining us in selecting Sonny as our 2024 Gerber Baby,” Chandra Kumar, president of Nestlé Nutrition (owner of Gerber) in Virginia, said in a statement.
“I can say his smile and attitude really had a positive impact,” said Sonny’s father, Akil McLeod. (The McLeod Family)
“Sonny immediately captured our hearts with his joyful smile and his family’s heartwarming demonstration of what it means to grow up with love,” she added.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, the McLeod family reacted to their son being named the new Gerber baby.
“It’s crazy,” said Sonny’s father, Akil McLeod Sr. “He’s a little celebrity… He always has things coming to his house.”
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“It’s just incredible,” he continued. “It’s a blessing. And he is so happy …I love that scene for him.”
Sonny’s mother, Dominique McLeod agreed that her son’s victory brought an “abundance of things,” from prizes to charitable donations.
Sonny was given his nickname to avoid confusion with his father, Akil McLeod Sr., pictured here. (The McLeod family)
This includes Gerber’s additional $5,000 donation to MANCAVE, a fatherhood program created through a collaboration between the Greater Phoenix Urban League, the City of Phoenix and My Brother’s Keeper in honor of the McLeod family.
“All because we have a cute baby,” Dominique McLeod said with a laugh.
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Sonny McLeod, who turned 1 on June 20, “loves to eat” and is always happy, his parents said.
The family gave the baby his nickname to avoid confusing him with his father, Akil McLeod, Sr.
Dominique McLeod, left, is pictured with Sonny McLeod, center, and Sonny’s 2-year-old sister, Sage McLeod. (The McLeod Family)
“One day we were in bed and the sun came through the window, right on my belly, and I thought, ‘Oh, Sonny,’” his mother said. “We’ve been doing that ever since.”
Dominique McLeod said she received many comments about Sonny’s resemblance to the Gerber baby, which prompted her to enter her son in the contest.
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Although Sonny had already earned the title of “Gerber baby,” his parents agreed that he was free to pursue “whatever he wanted” as he grew older.
“I pray that this will have an impact on the world.”
“I just want him and our daughter to know that this world is whatever they want to make it,” her mother said.
“I pray that it’s something positive. I pray that it has an impact on the world. But I never want to put restrictions on what they can or can’t do.”
Big sister Sage McLeod kisses baby Sonny McLeod on the head. (The McLeod Family)
“If he said to me, ‘Mom, I want to be an astronaut,’ I would do it. contact NASA and to determine how we can try to make this dream a reality.
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Akil McLeod stressed the importance of supporting every child’s dreams.
“I know what it’s like when you have family or friends “Those who don’t support a dream or a goal,” he said. “And I don’t want him to feel that way.”
