Utahns rally behind Orem mom and baby in national contest for a good cause
Nov 4, 2025, 5:14 PM | Updated: 5:16 pm
Yuki Houchin entered her baby daughter, Mei, into the national “Baby of the Year” competition after learning it raises money for Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides diapers, clothing and other essentials to children living in poverty. (The Houchin family)
(The Houchin family)
OREM — What started as a curious click turned into a community campaign for one Orem family, and a way to help families in need across the country.
Yuki Houchin entered her baby daughter, Mei, into the national “Baby of the Year” competition after learning it raises money for Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides diapers, clothing and other essentials to children living in poverty.
“I came across the ad and I was like, this has got to be too good to be true,” Houchin said. “But when I looked into Baby2Baby and saw their mission, I thought, wow, this is awesome. We don’t have much ourselves, but I know there are so many that have less than we do.”
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Every vote and donation in Mei’s name benefits Baby2Baby, with each dollar equaling one vote in the competition. The organization supports more than a million children nationwide each year by distributing essentials through schools, hospitals and disaster relief programs.
For the Houchins, the potential $25,000 grand prize would bring financial relief to their young family of four. They’ve been trying to move out of their small two-bedroom condo, but found that selling it would actually cost them money out of pocket. Winning, Houchin said, would allow them to pay down their mortgage and set aside savings for Mei’s future.
Baby Mei and Yuki Houchin. (The Houchin Family)
Still, she said the experience has already been its own reward. The Orem community has rallied behind the family, sharing Mei’s story online and voting daily.
“It’s been really humbling to see them do that and then do more, making me feel like, wow, I do have a circle of family and friends and neighbors and strangers that care,” Houchin said. “Sometimes I feel like I’m just another mom trying to get through each day. But this showed me we’re surrounded by good people.”
Mei is currently leading the semifinals, and Houchin said she’s less focused on winning and more grateful for the support that’s poured in. She hopes her daughter will one day understand the impact this moment had not just for their family, but for others.
“I hope she’ll learn that it doesn’t take much to make a difference,” Houchin said. “Just a few clicks on your phone can change someone’s life.”
Voting for the semifinals ends Thursday at 8 p.m. MST.
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