Halle Berry, Hank Azaria, Nicole Richie and other celebrity parents joined March of Dimes during Prematurity Awareness Month to champion the health of babies.
On November 7, 2009, March of Dimes hosted the Fourth Annual Celebration of Babies luncheon to recognize prominent individuals who are celebrating the birth of their children and who are role models for March of Dimes commitment to improve the health of babies. As part of the March of Dimes November Prematurity Awareness Month campaign, celebrities and special guests were urged to join the fight for preemies.
The event also highlighted March of Dimes Stork Club: a group of celebrities and prominent individuals who have welcomed a baby or who are expecting a baby in 2009. This year's Stork Club, sponsored by Stride Rite, includes: Actor Hank Azaria & Katie Wright, Actress Julie Bowen & Scott Phillips, Musician Howie Dorough & Leigh Dorough, Marketing Director Mitchell Davis & Clare Davis, Lucky Magazine W. Coast Bureau Chief Marlien Rentmeester & John Phelps, Actress/Producer Nicole Richie & Singer Joel Madden, Actress Nicole Sullivan & Actor Jason Packham, Producer Jennifer Todd & Actor Chris Messina. March of Dimes celebrity volunteer parents who also attended the luncheon were Julie Bowen, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Kellie Martin, Elisabeth Rohm, Nicole Sullivan, Alimi Ballard, and Sean Patrick Thomas.
More than three hundred guests were greeted with a luxury boutique shopping experience, which included the finest selection of designer clothes, accessories and gifts from vendors: Homemade Baby, Mustela, Heather Moore Jewelry, Bella Inspired, Terri Michele Fragrances, Dr. Peter's Child Identity Kit, Petit Bijou by Garcelle, Tough Cookies Boutique, Baby Eggi, The Silly Wagon and Dr. Fresh. Fundraising continued with a live and silent auction where guests bid on lavish gifts and luxurious vacations donated by the event's committee volunteers. News anchor Lauren Sanchez hosted the luncheon program and auction.