On Golden Globes Weekend, Focus is on Haiti

Many of Hollywood's most stylish beauties — including Rachel Bilson, Glee star Dianna Agron and Taraji P. Henson — hit the red carpet at The Diamond Information Center and InStyle luncheon in Beverly Hills yesterday prepared to focus on the gorgeous diamond preview to kick off the awards season. But with just days to go before the Golden Globes, thoughts of the devastating situation in Haiti seemed to be at the forefront of everyone's minds. Talk quickly turned to the quake-damaged country that was already stripped to its core, with Haitians immersed in a daily reality of already tragic proportions.

Haitian-born actress Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon stoicly took to the press line only to excuse herself as she became  too overwhelmed with discussion of her homeland.For Maria Bello (right, with Olivia Wilde), speaking up for Haiti is something she was doing before the earthquake occurred. The actress is especially shaken by the stunning devastation and death toll because she was in Haiti just three weeks ago working with her organization, Artists for Peace and Justice. Bello is an active board member with the organization, founded by director Paul Haggis (Crash), alongside such fellow luminaries as Wilde, Josh Brolin, James Franco, Diane Lane, Oliver Stone, and Charlize Theron.Haggis created Artists for Peace and Justice after he was inspired by the work of Father Rick Frechette. Frechette, a doctor and community organizer from the U.S., has worked in Port-au-Prince for more than 20 years. Since his arrival, he has built an orphanage, medical clinics, street schools, and a pediatric hospital in the slums just outside of the city.

We got a chance to talk to Bello exclusively about how Artists for Peace and Justice has mobilized in the face of catastrophe:Tonic: There's been an immediate response from the U.S. Do you think it's a coupling of genuine concern and an attempt to thwart another Katrina situation?Maria Bello: I am so proud of my country. Whenever there is trouble in another part of the world, we mobilize and show up. I am proud of the Obama administration, how our President is mobilizing and giving money and sending troops, aid — so I'm really thrilled. I have worked in Haiti for years, I've been to Haiti and there are some amazing people there.Tonic: What is it about that country that compels you to want to give back and restore it from some of the atrocities they've faced?Bello: It's the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and one of out 3 kids die under the age of 5. I've never seen such poverty, and I've been all over the world. There is something about Haiti. There is a joy and resilience and the incredible music, culture and vibrancy of these incredible people, and it's really unbelievable and yet unfortunate that it took such a tragedy for people to open their eyesto what's happening to their fellow human beings.Tonic: How did you find out about the earthquake, and what was your first response? I know you were just there last December:Bello: My boyfriend [writer Bryn Mooser] called me, and all of our friends were calling, and I finally got a hold of Father Rick Frechette, and we said, "What's first?" And he told us, "Put on your work boots and let's get my people out." Everyone's reacting immediately. [Go to the site] for Artists For Peace and Justice, give a dollar, two dollars, a hundred dollars — 100-percent of the proceeds go straight to the people down there. We are wiring money. We are soliciting donations as we speak. We'll be throwing fundraisers, we're getting mobilized.We want people to give clothes and canned goods, but right now there is no way to get that to them. The best thing to send is money — this is what's needed most right now.

For more of Tonic's continuing Haiti coverage, and to find out how you can help, CLICK HERE.

Photo of Wilde and Bello at the DIC & InStyle Luncheon Jan. 14 by John Shearer/Getty Images