Serena Williams honored at Baby2Baby gala, raising $18 million for children

Baby2Baby held its flagship event Saturday night, bringing together some of Hollywood’s biggest stars to raise $18 million to support the nonprofit’s work providing essential products to children in need.

This year’s Baby2Baby Gala, hosted 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 her award to the tennis superstar, while her longtime friends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also made a rare public appearance to support Williams. The evening included a special performance by Ludacris, with Ciara, Jessica Alba, Julie Bowen, Kerry Washington, Malin Akerman and Olivia Munn as presenters and words from Baby2Baby co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof.

Over the past 14 years, Baby2Baby has provided more than half a billion essential items, including diapers, formula and clothing, to children living in poverty across the country. The organization also stepped up after the Los Angeles fires, as Weinstein revealed that it had distributed more than 31 million emergency supplies to affected families. “These fires remind us that we should never assume who needs help,” she continued. “We serve children from all socioeconomic categories: families who were already living in poverty before the fires, who are now forced to live in shelters, cars, and with loved ones in their overcrowded apartments. »

Weinstein announced that they are building a new Baby2Baby national headquarters and warehouse in Santa Monica that will serve as the organization’s permanent home starting in 2027. Patricof also spoke about New York State’s recent $9 million grant to provide essential postpartum items to the 100,000 mothers who will give birth through Medicaid statewide next year, saying, “Mental health is now the leading cause of maternal mortality in this country, and the aim of this program is to tackle the mental problem. the health concerns of new mothers who cannot afford the essential items they desperately need for their babies.

Also among the stars in attendance were 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. Check out the photos from the evening below: