Copyright Forbes
On Saturday, November 8th, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, Baby2Baby, the non-profit organization that provides children in need across the country with diapers, clothing, and more, had it’s 14th annual Baby2Baby Gala. The gala is an annual fundraising event hosted by the charity to provide mothers in need with essential items, including diapers, clothing, and formula, for their families. This year, Baby2Baby raised over $18 million for children and mothers who were significantly impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires and national natural disasters, with the help of private donors and celebrities like Tyler Perry, Paris Hilton, and Olympian Allyson Felix, who each generously provided $250,000 to Baby2Baby’s cause, as well as an auction of fine art, led by Julie Bowen and Malin Akerman. A slew of celebrities attended to support the organization, including Lizzo, Jessica Alba, and Ayesha Curry, who both serve on the board, as well as Demi Lovato, Kerry Washington, and Ciara, who were presenters for the evening, and Ludacris, who performed. Serena Williams was presented with this year’s Giving Tree Award by her friend, Alicia Keys. The award symbolizes a "public figure who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the lives of children in need around the world." Williams has embodied that definition, given her extensive philanthropic efforts, particularly when it comes to advocating for expecting mothers, after almost dying giving birth to her daughter, Olympia. Now the mother of two continues to raise awareness of maternal mortality and encourages women to advocate for themselves while under hospital care. Co-CEOs Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein shared with me ahead of the event just how proud they are to honor Williams. "We’re so proud to honor Serena on Baby2Baby's most impactful night of the year, especially at such a critical time for our work providing children with necessities. Serena is the epitome of what the Giving Tree Award represents, from her fierce commitment to uplifting children and families to her powerful advocacy for Black maternal health. The way she has utilized her incredible platform as an athlete, activist, role model, and mother to give back to families in need truly inspires all of us at Baby2Baby," they shared in a joint statement via email. They continued, “We’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when influential people use their platforms for good. We have assembled a collective of over 75 Baby2Baby Board & Angels – a group of all-female celebrities, actresses, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from diverse industries – who have been instrumental in our growth.” When presenting the Giving Tree Award to Williams, Keys emphasized Williams’ selflessness and service, celebrating her as a global icon, a champion athlete, an activist, an entrepreneur, and a mother, while highlighting her dedication to improving children's lives and advocating for maternal health. Keys noted that her professional achievements are matched by her social work, including education, disaster relief, and empowering women. In 2025, she was announced as the first entrepreneur-in-residence at Reckitt Catalyst, supporting female-led health entrepreneurs. "We all know the children's book 'The Giving Tree,' about a selfless tree that gives everything she has to those she loves throughout his life, and Serena Williams is a woman who embodies that spirit with an endlessly giving heart. Thank you for your strength and your service. I join a rainbow of friends who want to celebrate you tonight. So let's run the video tonight, we're celebrating one of my dear, dear friends," she lovingly said. Williams graciously accepted the award, praised Baby2Baby for their impactful work, particularly in providing essential items like diapers, backpacks, and clothing to underserved families in Los Angeles. Williams shared her personal experience with life-threatening pregnancy complications, highlighting the critical need for maternal health support. She emphasized Baby2Baby’s distribution of over half a billion items, which symbolize hope and support for mothers and children. Williams concluded by advocating for giving back as a form of justice and a demonstration of dignity. "Standing here today to accept the living tree award from an organization as impactful as Baby2Baby, but I think we can all see the impact that they have had. It's been truly emotional just sitting at that table. Children are dear to me, obviously," she shared. Williams continued, thanking the founders of Baby2Baby, "After having kids, you just have a whole new appreciation for what Baby2Baby does. And it’s truly remarkable. I want to extend my special thanks to the entire Baby2Baby team for their tireless dedication. You can all see your fierce love for children and mothers, and being there when they need you the most. You guys show up every time." She opened up about her childhood and growing up in Los Angeles, “I grew up right here in Los Angeles, I've seen firsthand what it means to face barriers, barriers that can truly feel insurmountable. That's why Baby2Baby's work in underserved neighborhoods in Los Angeles, my hometown, resonates so deeply with me. Over 8 million essential diapers, backpacks, and clothing, as you guys have all seen in this video, have been truly impactful to so many families.” Williams delved into her previous experiences with birth complications, noting the organization’s dedication to mothers, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. "I faced life-threatening complications. I had access, I had privilege, but I wasn’t listened to, I wasn’t believed, and I came painfully close to losing everything. That experience changed me forever. It can change my entire life. It opened my eyes to the harsh reality that black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes," she stated." She continued, “Mothers face these dangers every single day, often in silence and, unfortunately, usually unseen. But it’s not just Black women, it’s women of every race, every background, who face these risks and so often go unheard. Too many are ignored when they voice their fears, and too many are left without the care, dignity, and support they deserve. That’s why Baby2Baby's maternal health initiatives, in addition to their work for babies, are so deeply personal to me. They step in with love. They step in with dignity, and most of all, they step in with care. They remind every mother and every family that they are not alone and they absolutely matter.” Williams concluded, "Every child deserves a fair chance. Every mother deserves to be supported and uplifted, and each of us bears the power, no matter the duty, to turn that hope into reality. Giving back isn’t just charity; it's justice, it's dignity, and the baby is leading this movement, showing us what's possible when compassion meets action. So I would like to thank you all for celebrating me." Patricof and Weinstein co-founded the organization in 2011, and since then, Baby2Baby has expanded tenfold. Their impact was felt and seen during the Los Angeles wildfires, as many mothers and children found themselves displaced. "We received over $60 million worth of brand-new donated items from our corporate partners to distribute to families impacted by the fires. The volunteer support highlighted the best part of this city: the people who care. It was truly heartwarming to see how many of you showed up," said Patricof. "Our headquarters were full of 1000s of volunteers, with two sessions a day, seven days a week, there was a wait list to help, and at every single session, there was someone who lost their own home who, in the face of this tragedy, only wanted to help others who were hurting even more. Like any natural disaster, the world has to move on, but the families we serve aren’t able to, and therefore, Baby2Baby won't either. We are very focused on long-term recovery and are committed to serving this city and its children for years to come," said Weinstein to the audience. Shortly after their remarks, they announced that they are proud to share that they are building a brand-new national Baby2Baby headquarters and warehouse in Santa Monica, which will serve as their permanent home, beginning in 2027. With hopes that the new 47,000 square foot facility will triple Baby2Baby's warehouse capacity, double their volunteer space, and, most importantly, allow them to expand to serve even more children across the country with the essentials they need and deserve.
