Southern Indiana toddler competes for Toddler of the Year to support Toys for Tots

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A southern Indiana toddler is competing nationally for a good cause.

The Toddler of the Year competition is a nationwide campaign which raises funds and awareness for Toys for Tots. As a kid who once received help from that organization, Zora Powers and her family are hoping to give back.

Jordin and Todd Mackey made the choice to take Zora in more than three years ago after she was left at the hospital when her biological mother wasn't able to take care of her. Jordin got a call from Zora's biological grandmother asking if Jordin and Todd could be Zora's legal guardians. Now as Zora is about to turn four, they're sharing her story.

"I think coming from the circumstances that she has come from her story is just a show of strength," Jordin said.

After Zora was born, she was in the NICU for two weeks and then put into foster care for two months while the Mackey's fought for her guardianship in court. They got legal custody of her in February 2022. That's when they got help from Toys for Tots.

"Having a surprise kiddo come in and in need of a lot of things at the time we were just so grateful for them even reaching out to begin with," Jordin said.

Jordin said Toys for Tots reached out and gave them not only toys, but clothes for Zora as well, and catered to her likes and needs when creating a care package.

A few months ago, they saw the Toddler of the Year competition on social media.

"We thought, 'wow, we've been impacted by them, it would be a great way for us to give back and hopefully raise some awareness for other kids, not just Zora,'" Jordin said.

The competition not only raises money for Toys for Tots but it also gives one toddler the opportunity to take home $25,000, star in a national ad campaign, go on a trip to a Peppa Pig theme park and lead the Hollywood Christmas Parade.

Win or lose, Jordin is hoping the almost $1,000 they've already raised through votes will help put a smile on another kid's face.

"She's a special little girl and if it wasn't for Toys for Tots, if it wasn't for the community that we had and for those that backed us when we originally got her, she wouldn't be where she is today," Jordin said.

Jordin and Todd are now in the process of adopting Zora.

To vote for Zora and donate to Toys for Tots, you can go to her competition profile by clicking here.

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