Jennifer Garner on poverty: Once you see how our neighbors live, you can’t unsee it
Jennifer Garner was honored over the weekend at a gala for Baby2Baby, which distributes needed supplies for babies and mothers. She’s been involved with Save The Children and Baby2Baby for years, and spoke passionately about her work with the organization. Matthew McConaughey presented her with the Giving Tree Award (remember they were in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past together) and she received a standing ovation for her speech, which emphasized that there are people living in poverty who need help:
In a powerful acceptance speech resulting in a standing ovation, Jennifer 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.
[From Baby2Baby, received via email]
E! has more quotes from Garner’s speech and it was powerful:
“My mom grew up dirt poor with 10 siblings, no running water and no electricity in dustbowl depression in Oklahoma. I grew up one generation, one holler away from poverty. If you tell the world that we are gathering here tonight all dressed up like prom… they might think we’re crazy. But the truth is, I’ve seen this message in action. The tiniest thing can tip the balance from past hope to chance.”
That’s what we call a “hollow” in the south, or an area between the mountains, “holler,” because it’s pronounced that way. I never realized that Garner’s mom lived in poverty and no wonder this cause is important to her.
Garner wore a navy blue textured gown with small floral appliques. It was both classic and interesting with clever details and was a great choice for this event.
Here’s Kate Hudson (also one of McConaughey’s romcom costars) in J. Mendel. Her makeup reminds me of Jennifer Lopez and there’s something going on with the bust area of the gown, but I think it’s just really giving a great pushup effect. This is a pretty dress.
Both Jenna Dewan Tatum and Jordana Brewster had the misfortune of wearing Marchesa. Can’t you tell? There’s so much going on with Jenna’s fug dress, it’s got one of those fold down half bustlines, there are multiple side ruffles on the waist, there’s a huge slit and it has pink and green sequin flowers on her boobs.
Look at this ill fitting peach jumpsuit with a silver feather pattern. Cher wouldn’t be caught dead in this.
Jessica Alba is the best dressed at Monster High prom in this tulle Valentino. Something nice: the birds are cool, I love her hair, and she looks vintage without going for “sexy.” Maybe I do like this gown.
Speaking of sexy here’s Camila Alves in Zuhair Murad.
