Drew Barrymore Honored at Baby2Baby Gala

Hollywood moms and their husbands took a break from their kids and stepped out for the second annual Baby2Baby gala at Book Bindery in Los Angeles. At the event, hosted by Joel McHale, actress Drew Barrymore was honored for her active involvement with the nonprofit that helps provide essentials for children up to age 12. 

“I work really closely with them because I wish that there were organizations like Baby2Baby for so many more areas in life,” said Barrymore. “I think good people are inherent givers and so to have a place where you can give so much and it’s so local and so well organized and so perfect for mothers to share for mothers … I think this is the perfect organization for moms.”

Barrymore, who is pregnant with her second child, dressed her growing baby bump in a Tory Burch gown. She said that although her daughter Olive is only 14 months she’s aware that a new sibling is on the way.  

“She definitely gets it,” Barrymore told The Hollywood Reporter. “She points to my stomach and goes ‘baby.’ How cool is that?”

Lead by co-presidents Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, Baby2Baby has grown to provide the necessary baby gear and clothing for over 67,000 children. Weinstein says there’s one item that they always need the most. 

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“Diapers,” said Weinstein who is reaching for donating a goal of 27 million. “Cribs are a close second because there’s the kids all over the city sleeping on the floors, sleeping on shared beds so they’re a close second to warm clothes and everything else.”

Modern Family actress Julie Bowen, a mother of three boys and longtime supporter of Baby2Baby, recalls the organization’s early days before expanding to donate 1.8 million diapers throughout Los Angeles. 

“I’m on the board of Baby2Baby and have been since it was a much much much smaller three moms who literally were driving around in the family SUV picking up stuff that needed to be reused and distributed around Los Angeles from like everybody’s garages,” said Bowen. “Those women then turned it over to Norah and Kelly who are amazing and have turned it into this which is crazy but great.”

Bowen says there are times she wishes she wasn’t the only female in the house. 

“There are times where I really really desperately wish there was a girl around,” said the actress, adding: “Just can’t we just hang out and read books and paint our nails? Sometimes my boys do that with me and there are other times when it’s just great to be like I’m out.”

Past honoree and board member Jessica Alba, who presented the Giving Tree Award to Barrymore, says what she cherishes most about being a mother is that children “make life so rich and filled with love” and shared a little about her daughter Honor’s personality. 

“She’s funny,” said Alba. “She scolds her sister. She’s really into following the rules and making sure Haven follows the rules as well. She doesn’t want to be the only one getting in trouble if the rules are broken.” 

Other notable appearances included board member Nicole Richie and her husband Joel Madden, celebrity stylist and an 8 and 1/2 months pregnant Rachel Zoe, actress Soleil Moon Frye, X-Men actress Rebecca Romijn and her husband Jerry O’Connell, Hart of Dixie actress Jaime King, and actor Jesse Williams. Samantha Ronson was on the one’s and two’s for the night. 

Guests mingled for cocktails provided by The Spare Room and participated in a silent auction before a dinner menu customized by some of Los Angeles’ most celebrated chefs. The menu featured contributions led by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo from Animal/Son of a Gun, David Hands from Bouchon and Candace Nelson from Sprinkles.