Drew Barrymore cries after hearing woman's story about starting an underwater cleanup organization (original) (raw)

Drew Barrymore felt a wash of emotions rush over her while speaking with Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage founder Susan Baur on her talk show on Wednesday.

The host burst into tears while listening to Baur’s story about what inspired her to create the group — which sees women aged 64 to 85 collect trash and debris from Cape Cod’s freshwater ponds — and finding her own sense of joy and purpose through environmental conservation.

“It really began when I was 64 years old and I began swimming in ponds, because I realized at 64 that I was going to get old no matter how fit I stayed,” Baur explained. “And I couldn’t imagine being happy and old because for me, being happy, I want to be self-reliant, I want to be strong. I want to be in control.”

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Drew Barrymore embracing Susan Baur on 'The Drew Barrymore Show'.

The Drew Barrymore Show

As she kept swimming, Baur noticed more and more turtles appearing the ponds with her. “They would come up to my hands, they would sit on my head and bask, they would follow me around,” she said. “And so it was then later that I said, ‘I see the turtles’ world getting more and more crowded with more and more tourists — we’re from Cape Cod, we have tourists – and I can’t do anything about that, but at least I can clean it up. I can clean up this pond.’”

Baur’s calling also inspired an entire team of fellow volunteers to help join her on her quest.

The camera then cut to Barrymore, who appeared to be trying not to sob and wiping at her eyes. Her Drew’s News co-host Ross Mathews quickly spotted that Barrymore was having a moment and stepped in. “I see you getting emotional,” he said to her. “I’m getting emotional too about having such a purpose.”

To which Baur interjected, “I’ll come up and hug you, if you want.”

The crying Barrymore then stood up and pulled Baur into a long hug. As Mathews hugged Baur, the actress took a moment to compose herself and wipe her eyes again.

The conversation then cut to Barrymore and Mathews sitting down on the stage closer to the women. “I’m struck, too, about what you spoke about earlier was that universal quest for happiness and purpose,” Mathews said. “And that you found it in the pond down the street and in the turtles in that pond. I mean, that’s extraordinary that we can find our purpose and then it works for you. You inspire others. And now you’re making a real difference for the planet.”

Drew Barrymore crying on 'The Drew Barrymore Show'.

The Drew Barrymore Show

The club also revealed that they’d brought Barrymore and Mathews a few trinkets they’ve unearthed on their underwater excursions as a gift. Barrymore then expressed her amazement that they were giving them a present “beyond what you’ve already given us, which is like, a life direction.”

Their treasure included an old toy car and plastic shark. "My daughter loves sharks!' Barrymore said. "This is gonna be her new bath toy."

Barrymore then revealed that not only would the show be donating 5,000towardsthegroup’ssupplies,butthatshewouldpersonallybedoublingthetotalto5,000 towards the group’s supplies, but that she would personally be doubling the total to 5,000towardsthegroup’ssupplies,butthatshewouldpersonallybedoublingthetotalto10,000. She then pulled Baur back into a hug.

“Thank you,” Mathews added. “We will not forget this.”

The Drew Barrymore Show airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings.