'Baby Of The Year' Could Be In Union County: How You Can Help

CRANFORD, NJ — Zoie Bisset, a 10-month-old baby girl from Cranford, is in the quarterfinals for a nationwide competition to name the "Baby of the Year."

The winner, tallied from online votes, will receive $25,000 and a feature in "Variety" magazine. The fundraising campaign benefits Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides basic items to more than one million children in need every year.

Along with starting a college fund, Zoie's mom Brittany said part of the winnings would go directly towards supporting other children and families around their hometown of Cranford.

"We are truly blessed to be surrounded by our village, and I want other families to feel that same level of support," Brittany said. "It truly makes a difference when you are navigating this new world of becoming parents and I’d like to return the favor to those that need it."

When baby Zoie is not snuggling up with the family's rescue Yorkie, Suzy, the family of three can be found at one of many of their favorite outdoor spots around the neighborhood, like Nomahegan Park.

"We walk the loop, play on the playground, or have a picnic," said Brittany. "My husband also likes to fish...and of course, a stop at Dreyer's for apple cider donuts."

She says it's easy to walk around anywhere and feel how strong the sense of community is around Cranford, calling it "a wonderful place to raise a child." Brittany says there is even a group of moms who join together to share advice, recommendations, and support one another.

"No two days or babies are the same, and that's 'a-ok' Some days we thrive and other days we survive!" she said of her message to other mothers raising a young child. "Try your best to not compare to others and enjoy the moment because it goes SO fast."

Voting for this round of the 2025 "Baby of the Year" award ends on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. EST.

Anyone with a Facebook account can cast one free vote per day. Donations for a competitor can be made to the Baby2Baby nonprofit without signing up for Facebook.

In 2024, the "Baby of the Year" campaign raised $24 million for the charity. During the last 14 years, they have distributed more than half a billion basic-need items to families over all 50 states.

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