The Gulf Coast Babies and Toddlers Photo Contest is a fundraiser for the Newspaper in Education Literacy Program. Parents across the Gulf Coast are invited to enter their little ones for a chance to win. There are no fees to enter the contest and all children age 4 and under whose photo is submitted with a qualifying entry form (see rules) will be featured in a special section of the Press-Register and The Mississippi Press on September 25, 2011. Readers will then select the winner by submitting free votes and ballots with donations. The child who receives the most votes is named “Gulf Coast Baby and Toddler” 2012 photo contest winner. This child will be featured on the month of his/her choice in a full color, high quality calendar along with the 11 runners-up just in time for Christmas! The winner also receives a valuable photo package containing portraits taken by our very own award-winning photographer, Bill Starling. All entry photos in the special section will also be in the calendar as supporters of NIE. Revenue from this contest and the sale of the calendars will be used to promote Literacy in our schools by providing newspapers and lesson plans for local classrooms throughout the Gulf Coast.