Sarah Michelle Gellar showed her support for a worthy cause at a benefit for military moms-to-be held on Wednesday in the Pacific Palisades.
The “Ringer” star hosted an Operation Shower group baby shower for 40 expectant mothers with spouses that are deployed or seriously injured.
“I have friends who are active duty and I see what it does to their family,” said the 34-year-old actress. “You have to realize that these people are giving up possibly their lives for us, so if we can give back anything to them, then it’s our responsibility to do that.”
There was a lot of emotion in the room as the guests of honor were recognized for the sacrifices that their families have made.
“You realize once you have a child that it really does take a village and you need all the support you can get,” said Gellar, who has a two-year-old daughter with husband Freddie Prinze, Jr. “To see all of these women here for each other during this time, while their husbands are selflessly giving back to all of us… The fact that we can give back to them is amazing.”
(bedding by Carousel Designs, crib from Pottery Barn Kids)
Each of the moms-to-be got to take home a “Shower In A Box,” full of great products for mothers and babies like the beautiful crib bedding donated by presenting sponsor Carousel Designs and brand new cribs from Pottery Barn Kids.
“We want to give them the baby shower of their dreams, the baby shower they deserve,” said Leah Sicat of Carousel Designs.
The event was a perfect fit for the company, which is headed up by two West Point graduates who served in the military before moving into the baby bedding business.
“We feel very passionately about supporting Operation Shower because we’ve been in the military and we also have family members who are still serving,” said Sicat. ” I have a brother-in-law in Afghanistan and my sister had a baby last month, so our family is in the same situation. And we just feel privileged and honored to be a part of this.”
Gellar also shared her excitement at being able to give something back. When asked what inspired her to get involved, she immediately responded, “What didn’t?!”
“I just want these women to know that we’re here for them and that they’re not alone,” she continued. “And even though they might be delivering their child without their partner, we’re all their partners and we’re all here to help.”
As for one piece of advice she would give the parents-to-be: “Trust yourself. No one is going to know your child better than you. Even if you haven’t done it yet, you have it in you, so believe in yourself.”
Want to get involved? Visit Operation Shower’s website for info on how you can contribute!
Megan Sayers is the managing editor for ModernMom. Follow her on Twitter @MeganSayers
