“We’re so happy to shift funds from a fall fashion event to be here to contribute and work,” St. John chief executive officer Andy Lew told the crowd ready to roll up their tweed sleeves Thursday morning at the Southern California fashion brand’s volunteer session at Baby2Baby in Culver City.
“Especially with the devastation that’s happening in the world right now it means so much you are here to volunteer and give back,” added Baby2Baby co-CEO Kelly Sawyer Patricof, speaking in the organization’s warehouse filled with diapers, formula, clothing, hygiene products, teddy bears and toys ready to be packed up and shipped out.
Michelle Monaghan, Chriselle Lim, Katharine McPhee and stylists Tara Swennen and Rebecca Ramsay were among those who joined St. John executive vice president of design Enrico Chiarparin, design consultant and stylist Karla Welch, and others to pitch in for the organization.
“Over the past 12 years, Baby2Baby has distributed 350 million items to children in need; we are reaching 100 million children this year in all 50 states,” Patricof continued before screening a short film about the organization’s work for mothers, one facing unemployment during COVID-19, and another who lost everything in a fire. Their stories evoked tears in the room.
“United Way calls them for help,” Welch said, in awe of Baby2Baby’s work helping children in homeless shelters, domestic violence programs, foster care, hospitals and underserved schools.
One of the volunteer stations involved packing bags of necessities for refugees recently relocated to the United States, another assembling newborn and maternal care kits.
In addition to a monetary gift, St. John also donated products from Welch’s brand, The Period Company, to support mothers Baby2Baby serves with menstrual essentials.
