This year, Jennifer Garner (mother of three) was honored with the Giving Tree Award for her commitment to supporting low-income children. Garner has worked for 7 years to help combat children’s poverty through education and leadership and this past year she’s helped secure over 2 million diapers to distribute to families across the country.
During her own speech, she reflected on her personal experience, growing up in near-poverty. “My mom grew up dirt poor with 10 siblings, no running water and no electricity in dustbowl depression in Oklahoma,” she said. “I grew up one generation, one holler away from poverty.”
The gala raised $2.9 million that night, which will help the organization expand to more cities. Baby2Baby is just 5 years old and has already branched out from Los Angeles to an additional 20 cities throughout the U.S.
“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,” says said Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, co-presidents of Baby2Baby. There are still 300,000 low-income children in Los Angeles and their goal is reach every single one.
