Tune into ‘Today,’ vote for your favorite moms

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Tune into ‘Today,’ vote for your favorite moms

by Jacqueline

May 05, 2008

Floral bouquet for America's Favorite Mom

Just as every child is unique, so is every mom. And America's Favorite Mom is our way of honoring all great mothers around the country. And now the hard part: Narrowing down the 15 semi-finalists in the contest and picking a winner. These very special ladies are being profiled this week, during the 9 a.m. hour, on NBC's "Today" show.

Want to take part? Go to nbc.com/Americas_Favorite_Mom to register and vote. The online vote for each day opens at 9 a.m. EST and ends at 9 p.m. EST.

Here's when you can meet the 15 top moms:

Monday, May 5: Military moms
Melinda Gintilas, Fountain, CO: Courage is key for this mom of three who has survived two trips to Iraq.

Patti Patton-Bader, Pasadena, CA: When she found out some soldiers never got care packages, Patti decided to do something about it.

Rosanna Vasquez-Brown, Harker Heights, TX: As a physician assistant in Iraq, caretaking is part of her job. Back home, her tender loving care goes to her daughter and husband.

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Tuesday, May 6: Working moms
Lisa Druxman, San Marcos, CA: A mom of two who also founded the Stroller Strides exercise product.

Patricia Griffith, Pittsburg, CA: Her two daughters must love the fact that Mom's business is baking!

Stacy Koch, New Orleans, LA: Running a youth center, heading a community restoration project and taking care of her two boys is all in a day's work.

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Wednesday, May 7: Single moms
Lena Ledford, College Park, GA: Lena juggles teaching, coaching, counseling and cooking. Oh, and she has 5 kids!

Shawna Ray, Mount Pleasant, SC: Diversity is important to this family of three so Mom wrote a book to teach other kids.

Betty Yerkes, Denville, NJ: She raised two daughters and found time to create an organization that helps pregnant teens.

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Thursday, May 8: Adopting moms
Bernice Burch, Sanford, FL: The "neighborhood mom" has nurtured a large extended family over the years.

Jennifer Keller, Home, KS: Of her seven kids, six were at-risk babies she adopted.

Nora Leon, Casper, WY: Running an orphanage in Haiti means that lots of kids call her Mom.

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Friday, May 9: “Chairman of everything” moms
Courtnee Stevenson, Bremerton, WA: With six kids, including quintuplets, this mom has her hands full all the time!

Gwen Beauchamp, Lancaster, TX: How does she do it? This mom of five kept hope alive, even during tough times.

Lisa Couture, Wesley Chapel, FL: Running a household, raising three children, earning her MBA are among the tasks she juggles, even though she is blind.

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The five mothers with the most votes will be part of “Teleflora presents America’s Favorite Mom,” on NBC TV, hosted by Donny and Marie Osmond, airing on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11 at 7 p.m./6c. The Osmonds will crown one grand-prize winner, who will receive $250,000, along with other gifts.

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