JERSEY CITY, NJ —
August 02, 2026 |
By DailyHudson Staff
The preschooler’s big smile and big heart have carried her to the late rounds of a national fundraiser.
Gabby Mateo has a smile that could power a block party. The three-year-old from Jersey City flashes it constantly — a wide, gap-toothed grin that her mother, Jessica Gladstone, says matches her personality perfectly.
“She’s got a big personality,” Gladstone said. And now, that personality has carried Gabby to the late rounds of a national contest: Toddler of the Year.
The competition, run by a parenting website, pairs cuteness with a cause. Each vote costs a small donation, and the money goes to a children’s charity. Gabby has already outlasted thousands of other toddlers. Her family isn’t sure how far she can go, but they’re hoping Jersey City will help push her across the finish line.
Here’s how it works: You vote for your favorite toddler, and each vote is a $1 donation. The toddler with the most votes wins the title — and a bigger prize for the charity. Gabby’s family has chosen to support a program that provides books to kids in underserved communities.
Gladstone, a teacher in Jersey City, knows firsthand what books mean to a child. She sees it every day in her classroom. “Reading opens doors,” she said. “We want every kid to have that chance.”
The contest started with hundreds of entries from across the country. Gabby’s family shared her photo on social media, and the response surprised them. Friends, neighbors, even strangers began voting. As the rounds progressed, the family watched Gabby’s name climb the leaderboard.
Now, in the late rounds, every vote feels heavy. The family has been refreshing the page like parents waiting for a snow day call. “We’re not stopping,” Gladstone said. “We’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”
For Hudson County residents, this is a chance to cheer on one of our own. Gabby is a real Jersey City kid — her favorite playground is in Liberty State Park, and she insists on waving to every dog she passes on the street.
But it’s also a reminder of how small acts add up. A dollar here, a vote there. For the price of a coffee, you can help a 3-year-old make a difference for kids she’ll never meet.
“People have been so generous,” Gladstone said. “It’s overwhelming, in the best way.”
The contest runs through the end of the month. Votes can be cast online through the contest’s official website. Each vote is a $1 donation, and voters can vote once per day.
Gladstone knows it’s just a contest. But for Gabby, it’s already a win — she’s seen her photo on the computer screen and tells everyone, “That’s me!”
And with a smile like hers, it’s hard not to root for her.
Source: Jersey City Times
