Charlize Theron wore a beautiful Schiaparelli dress at the Baby2Baby Gala on Saturday night. She was given the Giving Tree Award for her work helping children in need. The event raised $17.1 million to support children living in poverty.
Charlize told the crowd, “I think we all needed a night like tonight. A night that feels like hope.” Over 800 people attended the event, including Hollywood stars, business leaders, and philanthropists who support Baby2Baby’s mission. In the last 13 years, Baby2Baby has given away over 470 million items like diapers, baby formula, and clothes to families in need across the country.
Charlize was honored for her work with the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), which is celebrating its 17th anniversary. She said, “We started CTAOP because we saw that young people in my home country, South Africa, were struggling. HIV rates were very high, and gender-based violence was a big problem. Even today, South Africa has a femicide rate five times the global average.”
Charlize explained that these issues are important for everyone, not just in South Africa. “It’s about equity, dignity, and passion,” she said. “As we see women’s rights being taken away in the U.S., we must remember that the rights of girls and young women everywhere need to be supported.”
Ciara, the Grammy-winning singer and Baby2Baby ambassador, also spoke about how important it is to support organizations like Baby2Baby. She said, “We can all make a difference, especially when we work together.”
The event included performances and speeches from many stars. It started with a video from the show The White Lotus, featuring Baby2Baby Angel Michelle Monaghan and Patrick Schwarzenegger. Then, Ciara, Ayesha Curry, and Katy Perry took the stage to talk about Baby2Baby’s work. The event raised money with help from stars like Miranda Kerr, Paris Hilton, Tyler Perry, Jay Shetty, and Chrissy Teigen.
To end the night, rapper Nelly performed his hits like “Ride Wit Me” and “Hot in Herre.” He was joined by Kelly Rowland, who sang their 2002 song “Dilemma.”
On the green carpet, Nelly and his partner Ashanti talked about how important it is to help children in need. Ashanti said, “I couldn’t imagine not having the support that I have. I’m blessed to be able to help.” Nelly added, “As fathers, we always want to protect our families. So, it feels good to be part of an event like this.”
Charlize Theron was honored with Baby2Baby’s “Giving Tree Award,” which is given to a woman who uses her position to help children in need.