Looking for a charity to support? Recent article in the Times focuses on success and achievements of Hollywood based charity Baby2Baby. According to the newspaper: “Ms. Patricof and Ms. Weinstein, co-presidents of Baby2Baby, approach their nonprofit work with a sense of duty that is real. The Baby2Baby brass also run with celebrities in a way that a previous generation did not, and they rely on those friendships to promote their charity, tweet by tweet, blog item by blog item”. With impressive list of Board of Directors that include Jessica Alba, Julie Bowen and Nicole Richie, it was no doubt that Baby2Baby would make its mark in Southern California. The Times also links the success of the charity fund with Hollywood babyboom: “Baby2Baby was started in 2006 by three mothers (who are no longer involved) as a West Coast answer to Jessica Seinfeld’s Baby Buggy charity. Its arrival coincided with a Hollywood baby boom. They just keep coming: Jessica Biel, Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, Jimmy Fallon, Vin Diesel, Ms. Barrymore, Ms. Alba, Zooey Deschanel, Blake Lively, Christina Aguilera, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis and Olivia Wilde are only some of the stars with very young children or offspring on the way”.
Baby2Baby is a charity that supplies low-income families and children age 0-12 with diapers, clothing and other basic necessities that every child deserves. Baby2Baby distributes new and gently used items to over 60 non profit organizations including homeless and domestic violence victims, reaching out to more than 100 000 children every year.
Co-president Ms Patricof, a former fashion model, lives an exciting life between her Hollywood bungalow and Malibu beach house. But she admitted to The Times: “the fancy trappings and a life lived among the young, rich and famous mean little. What really pumps her blood is Baby2Baby. “One out of three moms has to choose between giving their child a clean diaper or food,” Ms. Patricof said. “We will not stop until we help fix that.” Her partner in crime, another co-president, Ms. Weinstein comes across “as friendly but a bit clinical”. She is often called by friends a “lawyer face” and is self-conscious about awkward divide that often exists between the affluent leaders of charities and their less-privileged clients.
What bring these two women together? Ms Patricof and Ms. Weinstein are passionately dedicated to the cause. To expand the organization, the women quickly formed a board from their pool of influential contacts. Ms. Alba wrote in an email about co-presidents of Baby2Baby: “The most important thing that they have in common is that neither of them will take no for an answer!” “As a woman that appreciates data and results, I also embrace that they’re businesswomen first and nonprofit leaders second.” Most of the funds are raised through charity gala dinners that honour celebrity Hollywood mothers and their achievements. Jewelry brands such as Tiffany and Harry Winston are among sponsors. One of the recent events raised almost $2 million and tickets were sold within five days.
So, if you fancy a fancy party and keen to help children in need, go check out the Baby2Baby and don’t forget to donate the money. Link is below.
