Gerber recently announced the winner of their 10th Annual Photo Search and not only is this year’s winner an absolute cutie, but her win is another first for the company.
Meet Magnolia Earl.
Magnolia is the first Gerber baby who was adopted.
“In the 10 years we have hosted Photo Search, we have been proud to feature babies of diverse backgrounds. This year is no exception by featuring Magnolia, our first adopted Gerber Spokesbaby,” the company said in a statement to TODAY.
Courtney and Russell Earl shared their story with TODAY.
Courtney and Russell Earl received a phone call on May 9, 2019 that changed their lives. Their adoption agency had an expectant mother who was in labor and wanted to speak with them. Within hours, Magnolia was born.
“Adoption is incredibly special to our family’s story. Winning Photo Search is an opportunity to tell Magnolia’s story and shed light on all the beautiful and different ways families are made,” Courtney said in a press release.
The couple also adopted their 8-year-old daughter Charlotte.
“We may all look different, but we’re one family,” Russell told TODAY.
The Earl family is excited for their daughter to step into the role and shine a light on adoption.
“This is incredible,” Courtney said. “It means that when people see our families, or if you see a family that doesn’t necessarily match, that you don’t have to question the belonging of anybody in that family.”
Since Magnolia’s birth, the couple said they still keep in touch with their daughter’s biological parents, and they even let them know she was a finalist to be Gerber’s next spokesbaby.
“We celebrate adoption in our family every single day,” Courtney said. “The real hero in this story are Magnolia’s birth parents. They chose her life, and they sent her on this incredible journey.”
In addition to being featured on Gerber’s social media channels, Magnolia and her family received $25,000 in cash, $1,000 in Gerber Childrenswear, $1,000 from Walmart and new phones with a year of free unlimited service from Verizon.
What a beautiful story and a beautiful baby! Congratulations, Magnolia! Share this wonderful story on Facebook.
