Copyright The Hollywood Reporter
Baby2Baby hosted its signature event on Saturday night, bringing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars together to raise $18 million to support the non-profit’s work providing essentials to children in need. This year, the Baby2Baby Gala, presented by Paul Mitchell in West Hollywood, honored Serena Williams with the Giving Tree Award in recognition of her advocacy for maternal health. Alicia Keys was on hand to present the tennis superstar with her award, as longtime friends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also made a rare public appearance to support Williams. The evening featured a special performance by Ludacris, along with Ciara, Jessica Alba, Julie Bowen, Kerry Washington, Malin Akerman and Olivia Munn serving as presenters and words from Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof. Over the last 14 years, Baby2Baby has provided over half a billion essential items, including diapers, formula and clothing, to children living in poverty across the country. The organization also stepped up following the L.A. fires, as Weinstein revealed they distributed over 31 million emergency supplies to affected families. “These fires have reminded us never to presume who needs help,” she continued. “We are serving children from across socioeconomic lines: families who were already living in poverty even before the fires, who are now forced to live in shelters, cars and with relatives in their overcrowded apartments.” Weinstein announced that they are building a new national Baby2Baby headquarters and warehouse in Santa Monica that will serve as the organization’s permanent home beginning in 2027. Patricof also spoke about the recent $9 million grant from the state of New York to provide essential postpartum items to all 100,000 mothers giving birth on Medicaid across the state next year, saying, “Mental health is now the leading cause of maternal mortality in this country, and the goal of this program is to address the mental health struggles of new moms who cannot afford the critical items that they desperately need for their babies.” Adam Scott, Anna Kendrick, Demi Lovato, Katherine LaNasa, Leslie Mann, Lizzo, Missy Elliott, Nicole Richie, Orlando Bloom, Paris Hilton, Simu Liu, Tyler Perry and Will Ferrell were also among the stars in attendance. Check out photos from the night below:
