GREEN COVE SPRINGS — James Knowles was 44 years old when he and his wife welcomed their twins into the world.

After years of wanting children, it was the right place and the right time. And Bryan and Juniper continue to be the light of his life.

For seven years, every single day has brought him closer to his goal of making their lives easier.

"That's what matters is leading with a good impression," he said.

Fatherhood is his pride and joy. It's what motivates him to wake up in the morning and always put his best foot forward. And it's also what made him join a nationwide search to find the person that encompasses everything he sets out to be.

Powered by Colossal, America's 2026 Super Dad contest aims to highlight the best that being a father has to offer. While they don't always get the credit they deserve, the winning dad will be thrust to center stage appearing in a national TV commercial produced by ACE Hardware and receiving a $25,000 grand prize.

With a drive to make the lives of his children better and easier, he said winning the competition would bring him one step closer to his goal. 

As an on-call maintenance worker at Kindred Hospital North Florida in Green Cove Springs, he is tasked with maintaining critical hospital infrastructure —often demanding constant vigilance and adaptable planning.  While there's no off switch, he's always remained committed to being present where he's needed most.

"It's a daily challenge," he said. "We're exhausted all the time. But, also deeply grateful for the love that we have in our family."

When the opportunity came to join the competition, Knowles said he wanted to take a chance.

"It became more and more inspiring to me," he said. "It offered a platform to stand shoulder to shoulder with other incredible dads. But also bringing some attention to a really good cause."

In addition to crowning a winner in December, the competition is a fundraiser for the Children's Miracle Network, a nonprofit that raises millions of dollars for local children's hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. The organization supports critical funding needed to help provide life-changing treatments, innovative research, vital pediatric equipment and more.

It's a mission close to Knowles' heart. With his son having non-verbal autism, he dedicates his life to balancing intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapies and his high support needs with 24/7 work calls and a bustling schedule.

But being a super dad means learning how to do it all with a constant smile on his face.

"He's a sweet kid and he's the sole purpose why I do what I do is to try to provide for him and his sister the best I can."

Knowles said navigating the journey with his son has deeply influenced him to impact others who experience the same thing. A mentor for Kindred Hospital's Project Search program, Knowles helps to assist youth with physical and mental disabilities. 

"We try to act as mentors [and] teach them practical things like painting, even mudding a wall, to try and help them get entry level work so they can have a gainful employment and sustainable employment when they are set free in the world."

While the program started a few years before his children were born, Knowles said being part of the program helped to prepare him with the patience, gratitude and humility he needed.

"I set an example in my home and in my work life that I feel can be looked up to," he said. "And all it really takes is just waking up in the morning, putting your boots on and going to work and just trying to be a good person."

In addition to making his television debut, Knowles said the $25,000 he could win would help to greatly secure his children's futures.

"It would allow me to contribute directly to my daughter's education and set up long term therapies and care for my son that he'll need after I'm gone," he said. "As a dad, that's my biggest fear is the kind of foundation and security I leave behind for them."

Every single day, his drive is to leave the world a better place for Bryan and Juniper. And regardless of what happens in the competition, he's already won.

Following a seven-day voting round that ends on Thursday, Oct. 8, Knowles will learn whether not he has survived elimination. The quarter finals will begin in November.

Voters can submit one free vote daily by visiting yoursuperdad.org/james-knowles-HAS6 .  More votes can be submitted by donating, which will directly benefit the Children's Miracle Network.

"If I don't win, I take pride in knowing that something I was part of helped raise some money for such an incredible cause," Knowles said.