When actress Chrissy Metz was here this past year for The Elisa Project’s Life Lessons Luncheon, she gushed about her “This Is Us” cast member Mandy Moore, saying, “Mandy Moore is an angel from heaven. She plays my mom, but I’m older than she is.” The Grammy and Golden Globe nominated actress/singer/songwriter Mandy has indeed proved her stretch playing “This Is Us” Rebecca over the decades. For this part she has been known to endure a long process of fixing up to look like the aged Rebecca.
But on Friday, November 9, another side of Mandy will be at the Omni Dallas Hotel as the keynote speaker for the New Friends New Life Annual Luncheon.
While some may be surprised at her selection for NFNL’s fundraiser to fight human trafficking and sexual abuse, they probably don’t realize that she isn’t all showbiz and red carpeting. Since 2008 Mandy’s been serving as Global Ambassador for Population Services International and traveled the world initially to “launch a distribution of three million insecticide-treated mosquito nets in South Sudan.” Over the years her travels to help PSI not only made her aware “of the impact gender-based violence has on women and family” but also an advocate.
According to NFNL CEO Kim Robinson, “Mandy Moore’s passion for her work and the causes she supports is both inspiring and empowering. In ‘This is Us,’ we see real life. We see non-traditional families who learn they can face life’s trials and tribulations with a solid support system. This empowering message, coupled with Mandy’s global humanitarian work and her personal endorsement encouraging women to take care and stand up for themselves, makes her the ideal speaker for our 20th anniversary luncheon.”
Luncheon Co-Chairs Connie Kleinert Babikian, McCall Cravens and Jill Meyer have managed to have Marla and Mike Boone serve as honorary co-chairs.
As Marla put it, “We are shocked and concerned to know that Texas has the second highest number of human-trafficking victims in the country and that 400 teens are being sold on our Dallas streets every night. We proudly stand beside New Friends New Life on their 20th anniversary of restoring and empowering teens, women and children, and we encourage you to join us. A successful luncheon will ensure that they are able to continue the meaningful work of eradicating this evil industry.”
Mandy joins the previous NFNL lineup of speakers that includes Barbara Pierce Bush, Sally Field, Kevin Costner, Amal Clooney and Joe Ehrmann in providing awareness and funding for NFNL.
Sponsorships and tickets are available here.
* Photo provided by New Friends New Life