El Paso, Ocala Toddlers Compete in National Toddler of Year Contest

The national Toddler of the Year competition, hosted by TV personality Mario Lopez, is spotlighting young contestants like Luna and Lucia from El Paso and Salvatore Larocca from Ocala. The contest offers a $25,000 prize, a trip to the Peppa Pig theme park, and the chance to be the grand marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, which draws thousands and features celebrity appearances. Luna, a two-year-old battling Leukemia, hopes to use the prize money for medical expenses, while Lucia's family plans to invest in a new SUV and sports equipment for her and her brother. Salvatore, known for his charismatic and joyful spirit, aims to win to star in a national ad campaign and share his kindness with a broader audience. The competition supports the Toys for Tots charity through a partnership with the fundraising company Colossal, which has raised millions for various causes. Fans can vote once daily for free or donate to earn extra votes as voting narrows the field to the top 20 toddlers.