Michelle Obama Speaks at 2 Westside Fundraisers

First lady Michelle Obama on Sunday began a planned two-day visit to Southern California by speaking at two campaign fundraisers, recounting her husband's accomplishments and asking those in attendance for further help on his re-election campaign.

Obama first spoke at what her husband President Barack Obama's campaigned billed as a "Sunday of Fun'' fundraising reception at the home of No Doubt frontwoman Gwen Stefani in a gated community north of Beverly Hills, near Mulholland Drive.

"We're not just here because we want to win an election," Obama told the crowd of approximately 400, which included television personality Nicole Richie and her husband, Joel Madden, the lead vocalist of the band Good Charlotte; actress Alyson Hannigan from the CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother; actor Jeffrey Tambor and many children.

"We're here because of the values and the vision that we all share for all of you guys. We're here because we know that in November, we are going to make a choice that's not just going to affect us grownups, but it's going to affect all of our children and the world we leave for them long after we're gone."

Tickets started at $2,500 for a family of four. Obama then went to the home of Warner Bros. CEO Barry Meyer in a gated community near the J. Paul Getty Museum for a late-afternoon fundraising reception. The ticket price started at $2,500.

Obama told the crowd of about 100 people many of the same things she said at the earlier event.

Obama recalled her upbringing in Chicago, discussed the passage of the health care act, efforts to reduce the cost of college and attempts to pass what has been dubbed as the DREAM Act which would give conditional permanent residence to illegal immigrants who arrived in the country as minors and met several other requirements. Proceeds from the events benefited the Obama Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee of Obama for America, the Democratic National Committee and several state Democratic parties.

On Monday, Obama is scheduled to tape an appearance on NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to air later that evening. She will discuss leading the U.S. delegation for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and life at the White House. Obama is also scheduled to speak at another fundraiser Monday.