Turlock father of three Chris Lewis has advanced to the Top 10 in the national Super Dad competition, putting him one step closer to a $25,000 prize and an appearance in a national television commercial provided by Ace Hardware.

For Lewis, one of the most meaningful parts of participating goes beyond the prize. The competition supports Children’s Miracle Network, a cause that aligns with something that has become increasingly important to him and his family since becoming parents.

Becoming parents gave Lewis and his wife a greater appreciation for the people who dedicate their lives to caring for children - from doctors and nurses to specialists, caregivers and the organizations that support children and their families.

“Once you become a parent, anything involving kids just hits differently,” Lewis said. “You have a whole new appreciation for the people who care for them and the families navigating those situations. If there’s an opportunity to support a good cause that helps kids, their families and the people taking care of them, that’s something I’m always going to get behind.”

That makes the Children’s Miracle Network component of the Super Dad competition particularly meaningful to Lewis. Supporters can cast a free vote for him each day, while optional purchased votes are tied to donations supporting the competition’s charitable fundraising efforts benefiting Children’s Miracle Network.

“Winning would mean a lot to my family, but being part of something that can also help support kids and the people caring for them makes the experience even better,” Lewis said.

Lewis entered the competition with the same humor that has long been part of his life as a dad — including an ongoing supply of bad dad jokes. What started as a simple “why not?” has grown into a campaign supported by family, friends and an expanding online community voting, sharing and following his progress.

“Besides earning every gray hair and bald spot? It’s when my kids are genuinely excited to see me come home from work,” Lewis wrote in his Super Dad profile. “Being their dad has taught me patience, grace, humility, and that I definitely don’t have all the answers. Through every tantrum, laugh, mistake, hug, and lesson, they’ve challenged me to become a better man.”

Lewis says striving to be a good father is rooted in knowing how quickly childhood passes and wanting to make that time count.

“I just want them to always know their dad was there, loved them fiercely, believed in them, and never took being their dad for granted,” he wrote.

If Lewis ultimately wins the $25,000 prize, he says the money would go toward three things that matter most to him: his children’s future, experiences together as a family and their home. His plans include putting money toward education, taking the family on a trip to create lasting memories and improving their backyard so the family has another place to spend time together.

Now that Lewis has reached the Top 10, the next milestone is the Top 5. Along the way, he has revived an old Instagram account, brought back his dad-joke videos and shared snapshots of life with his wife and children - turning the competition into something his family, friends and community can follow together.

And if Lewis eventually finds himself starring in a national television commercial? His campaign already has an answer: “This face was made for TV, don’t you think?”

Free daily voting through Thursday is available at: yoursuperdad.org/chris-lewis-h3Za