Parents to be Nicole Richie and Joel Madden launched the Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation at the Los Angeles Free Clinic on Monday. The couple hosted a surprise baby shower for 100 expectant and new moms and handed out more than $200,000 worth of gifts.

Joel on why they started the foundation: “We grew up in Los Angeles and we want our child to be a part of the community, and to know that there’s a responsibility to help the community.”

Nicole on how they came up with the name of the foundation: “We named it the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation because we each have families and our families are close, and our family is involved.”

Nicole on the reactions of the expectant moms: “The looks on their faces were priceless. Some of them didn’t even believe us [when they saw the gifts]. They thought we were joking. Everything (Baby Bjorn products, cribs, mattresses and toys from Fisher-Price) they got, we got, so everything that will be in their nursery, will be in our nursery.”

Joel on how fortunate he and Nicole have such loving families: “We’re lucky that we have families that get along and love each other [and] I think it’s great that our child will grow up as a part of that family.”

Joel on how good he felt after the event: “Sometimes people don’t want to believe that me and Nicole are just a young couple having a baby and we’re really excited. We don’t really get to share our lives with people. It’s nice to connect with people on a real level.”

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