Aiden Santiago Javed

At 7 months, Aiden is pure joy—always smiling, laughing, and lighting up every room. He sleeps peacefully through the night, happiest when napping on dad’s chest. Playful and curious, he loves people, even strangers, and fills the air with cheerful babbles that sound like his first words. His bright eyes meet others with a gentle warmth, following every movement with wonder—from trains rushing past to dogs racing by—each moment is magic to him.

Aiden’s days are full of discovery and play. He loves tummy time, rolling onto his stomach and back, and scooting backward with his hands as he learns to crawl. His toys keep him busy, but nothing beats clapping along while mom sings or giggling with dad and grandma. He listens wide-eyed as stories are read to him, and on walks with Jacob the German shepherd his face lights up. Always learning, he’s practicing sitting tall and standing proud—every moment an adventure.

A $25,000 award would bring stability and hope to our family. My husband is rebuilding his fitness business after losing it in the pandemic, while I care full-time for our 7-month-old son, Aiden. Two months before his birth, my husband’s father passed away, leaving him to manage both his own finances and his late father’s. We moved in with his widowed mother, a transition that brought heavy costs and credit card debt. With only one income, this support would truly transform our lives.