Jennifer Garner is Honored at Glamorous 5th Annual Baby2Baby Gala

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Baby2Baby

On Saturday evening, Baby2Baby hosted their fifth annual Baby2Baby Gala at 3Labs in Culver City. At the Volvo-presented fete, the organization brought together heavy hitters and influencers across a wide range of industries to raise a record 2.9 million dollars to support its work providing essential items to low-income families and has, over the past five years, distributed 27 million essential items to children in need.

Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell welcomed guests and introduced Baby2Baby’s Co-Presidents Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein. The organization honored Jennifer Garner for her support of children in need around the world. Matthew McConaughey presented Garner with the Giving Tree Award, which the organization awards annually to a mother who uses her position in the public eye to advocate on behalf of the low-income children the organization serves.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Baby2Baby

In a powerful acceptance speech resulting in a standing ovation, Garner explained, “But truly, imagine not having the option of making your child comfortable – imagine living in a life of poverty that seems to have no way out. You don’t have to imagine it – follow Baby2baby’s case workers back to where they are making donations, to any of the number of shelters, to Save the Children’s programs in Central Valley, California. Once you see the way our neighbors are living, you can’t unsee it, I can promise you that.”

The evening also featured remarks from Baby2Baby’s star studded supporters including Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba, Rachel Zoe, Kelly Rowland, and Molly Sims, who spoke about the dangers low-income families face without access to basic necessities and applauded the organization’s leadership in uniting the Los Angeles community and beyond on behalf of a philanthropic movement to support the children Baby2Baby serves and help end the cycle of poverty.

Boyz II Men brought down the house with an incredible performance, handing out roses to an animated crowd. The A list stars and philanthropists then made their way to the after party, DJ’d by Samantha Ronson and Nikki Pennie. Stars including Jessica Alba and Stevie Wonder danced in the crowd.

For Sawyer Patricof and Weinstein, the evening represented the culmination of a five year commitment to supporting low-income children and a milestone for the organization, which has grown from a grassroots volunteer program into one of the most influential children’s organization over the past five years.

Photo Credit:  Getty Images for Baby2Baby

“5 years later, we are distributing millions of diapers, clothing, cribs, car seats, backpacks, shoes, soap, strollers and books. But as impactful as the last 5 years have been, what motivates us is that that we’re not done yet. Not even close,” said Sawyer Patricof and Weinstein in an empowering speech. “We know we are not making lives perfect but every child deserves clean clothes and basic essentials. These items also give families the ability to keep their lights on, pay rent and put food back on the table but most of all it gives them hope. There are still 300,000 low-income children in Los Angeles who we are still not reaching– our goal is to reach every single one.”

Designed by Los Angeles’ top event producers, Yifat Oren and Stefanie Cove of Oren Cove, the evening also brought together a wide range of LA’s best chefs who joined forces and donated their time and talent to create one of the city’s most culinary evenings. The dinner extravaganza was led by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo from Animal, Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s and Trois Familia with a custom Bar crafted by The Spare Room. Additional chefs included, Dotolo from Animal, Son of a Gun, Jon & Vinny’s and Trois Familia, along with L.A’s top chefs including: Ludo Lefebvre from Petite Trois, Walter Manzke from République, Kazunori Nozawa from Kazunori, Steve Samson from Sotto, Ben Ford from Ford’s Filling Station, Sarah Hymanson & Sara Kramer from Kismet, Jessica Koslow from Sqirl, Tim Hollingsworth from Otium, Mark Rosati from Shake Shack, Josef Centeno from Bar Ama, Micah Wexler from Wexler’s Deli, Suzanne Goin from Lucques, Jazz Singsanong from Jitlada and more.

Photo Credit: Getty Images for Baby2Baby