Maya Rudolph and Irene Neuwirth
Keats Elliott Photography
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles launched its annual Make March Matter campaign at the beginning of March, joining forces with entertainment A-listers to raise money for the L.A. hospital.
The campaign has historically had plenty of star power to help fundraise for the hospital – Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis kicked off last year’s campaign – and this year is no different, with actress Maya Rudolph partnering with high-end jeweler Irene Neuwirth to support CHLA’s month-long fundraising campaign.
“I was really honored,” Rudolph told The Hollywood Reporter about being asked to get involved.
The annual campaign aims to raise $1 million during the month of March by partnering with local businesses around L.A. Each business chooses the way it contributes, with some selling special items dedicated to supporting CHLA and others donating portions of their overall sales for the month.
The Emmy-winning Saturday Night Live alum co-hosted an event with Neuwirth at the jeweler’s L.A. store on March 5, raising money with a private shopping experience. “Maya was just as engaging as you would expect her to be,” said Alexandra Carter, chief development officer at CHLA. “She was helping customers. She was talking to everybody. She was a wonderful co-host.”
Rudolph praised the hospital’s fundraising efforts, reiterating that the campaign gets “everyone” involved through both small and large purchases. “It just feels like such a such a positive force to be involved with,” she said.
Carter also emphasized the importance of having “well-known advocates who are beloved by the community, like Maya” take part in the campaign.
Rudolph shared similar praise back to the hospital and its staff. “The people that run it are incredible,” she said. “From top to bottom, everyone involved in CHLA is an exceptional human being.”
“Anything I can do to support, it makes me feel so good and so happy,” Rudolph said. “Doing what I can makes me feel lucky to do so,” she added.
The Make March Matter campaign runs through the entire month of March. Food and beverage spots such as Panda Express, Delilah, Alfred Coffee, Porto’s, Prince Street Pizza and Yeastie Boys are participating alongside several local and national stores.