Everybody Plays is a campaign that celebrates the uniqueness of all babies and children. This is the third year that Step2 and Infantino have proudly teamed up to promote the inclusion of all children on packaging and advertisements. As in years past, Step2 and Infantino held an open online casting call for participation in this year’s photo shoot. New to the casting call for 2013, entrants were asked to submit an essay describing how they teach self-acceptance and the acceptance of others to family and community. In addition, one entry was selected to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to San Diego to partake in the Everybody Plays photo shoot.
After a long and extremely difficult selection process, three-year-old Chloe “Coco” from Roseville, CA was selected as the winner of the all-expenses-paid trip to San Diego. Chloe’s mom’s and dad’s essay about their acceptance of their daughter Chloe’s special needs, and their subsequent adoption of Olivia, another child with special needs, was moving. Her infectious smile and strength proves that she can change the world and reduce the stigma surrounding children with special needs.
All of the stories that were submitted were powerful and inspiring. In addition to Coco, we are pleased to announce the following children will be joining us at Balboa Park in sunny San Diego on September 25th and 26th for the Everybody Plays 2013 photo shoot. These adorable children will be photographed by photojournalist and celebrity-blogger Kelle Hampton with Step2 and Infantino products.
Everybody Plays 2013 Participants (In Alphabetical Order):
Aaliyah, La Puente, CA
Aiden, Santa Barbara, CA
Alice & Charlie, Lakewood, CA
Alice, Saint Charles, MI
Apollo, Bellingham, WA
Aubrey, Long Beach, CA
Bentley, Cathedral City, CA
Bobby, Chicago, IL
Cassidy & Charlotte, San Fransisco, CA
Charlie, Davis, CA
Charlotte, Reseda, CA
Cody, Santa Clarita, CA
Curtis, Encinitas, CA
David & Jonathan, Arroyo Grande, CA
Emily, San Bernardino, CA
Emma, Valencia, CA
Ezekiel, Windsor, CA
Findlay, San Diego, CA
Finn, Vista, CA
Grace, Palos Park, IL
Hannah & Jedidiah, Carpinteria, CA
Isabelle & Elizabeth, Windsor, CA
Jake,Littleton, CO
Jaxon, Simi Valley, CA
Jordyn, Santa Paula, CA
Joy, Dayton, OH
Jude & Izzy, Ferndale, WA
Kalissa & Hayley, Los Angeles, CA
Kingston, Hermosa Beach, CA
Lee, West Covina, CA
Leila, Edmonds, WA
Liam, Pasadena, CA
Louis, San Diego, CA
Lydia, La Mesa, CA
Makenzy & Skyler, San Marcos, CA
Marielle, San Diego, CA
Mason, Los Alamitos, CA
Matthew, Sunnyvale, CA
Natalie, Chula Vista, CA
Nathan, Simi Valley, CA
Oliver, Yuma, AZ
Parisa, Los Gatos, CA
Ryder, San Marcos, CA
Rylee, Lomita, CA
Savannah, Salem, MA
Sofia & Joaquin, Rocklin, CA
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who submitted an essay – each one was truly beautiful and inspiring. Congratulations to all of the 2013 Everybody Plays participants. Thank you for inspiring us to continue to show the world the power of acceptance of children everywhere. Step2 and Infantino look forward to sharing the beautiful pictures of these amazing children in 2014.