Inside the March of Dimes Celebration of Babies Luncheon

Photo Credit: Getty Images for March Of Dimes

It’s hard to raise $1.2 million before dinnertime, but March of Dimes managed to do so during its annual Celebration of Babies luncheon on Friday. 

The sheer star power in the room might have had something to do with it. Guests came to pay their respects to the organization and to its 2015 honorees, who included The Honest Company founder Jessica Alba, President of Universal Television Bela Bajaria and Michele Hakakha, M.D. for their various contributions to the cause.

The event, which celebrates the non-profit organization for pregnancy and baby health as well as prominent individuals in the entertainment community who are celebrating the recent birth of a child   is co-chaired by Jimmy Horowitz, President of Universal Pictures, and his wife Joi and Wyck Godfrey and his wife, Mary Kerr.

Jessica Alba received the 2015 March of Dimes Grace Kelly Award, which recognized her commitment to help families and give all babies the healthiest start in life. Alba is founder and chief creative officer of The Honest Company, which inspires and empowers people to live a healthy, happy life. Its growing portfolio includes more than 100 products across the categories of baby, personal care, home care, vitamins & supplements, beauty and more. Since its inception in 2012, the mission-driven Company has donated over 750,000 products and over 7,000 employee volunteer hours to help more than 120,000 children and 90,000 families. She is also an actress, advocate and New York Times bestselling author.  

Bela Bajaria, President, Universal Television, was honored by March of Dimes as the 2015 Inspiring Woman of the Year for her accomplishments as a leader in the entertainment industry and as a dedicated mother. Bela is an active community leader dedicating her time and resources to improving the lives of children in Los Angeles.

Dr. Michele Hakakha, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, was honored with the 2015 March of Dimes Prematurity Champion Award, for her dedication and special interest in caring for patients with high-risk pregnancies. She is an award-winning OBGYN, and an active member of both the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association. Dr. Hakakha also co-authored Expecting 411: Clear Answers and Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy, now in its 3^rd edition – the first pregnancy book written by two physicians (an OBGYN and a pediatrician) who are also mothers. 

 Nick Cannon served as master of ceremonies for the exclusive luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Event co-chairs included: Nicole A. Avant and Ted Sarandos, Yael and Scooter Braun, Kate and Paul Brooks, Risa and Cyril Drabinsky, Robert Greenblatt, Sheri and Mike Hopkins, Mindy Kaling, Donna Langley and Ramin Shamshiri, Mira and Brian Lee, Kelly and Ron Meyer, Kevin Reilly, Shannon and Michael Rotenberg, Laura and Jeff Shell, and Molly Sims and Scott Stuber.

 Host committee members included: Tracy Anderson, Amanda Anka and Jason Bateman, Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, Lauren and Jason Blum, Catherine and Marty Bowen, Jordana Brewster and Andrew Form, Liza Chasin and Matthew Velkes, Cindy Crawford, Terry Crews, Clar and Warren Dern, Marissa, Devins and Matt Rice, Vera Farmiga and Renn Hawkey, Tina Fey, Julia Franz and Chris Silbermann, Alex and Brad Fuller, Sean Hayes and Scott Icenogle, Michael Kives, Ashley and David Kramer, Jennifer Lopez, Amy Poehler, Richard Weitz, Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth, Rachel Zoe and Rodger Berman, and Carrie and Bill Zotti.

Influential guests at the fete included Jason Bateman, Joseph Gordon–Levitt, Mindy Kaling, Rachel Zoe and Naya Rivera.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for March Of Dimes