Helping UNICEF help kids is Tea’s top treat

Hollywood honey - and UNICEF goodwill ambassador - Tea Leoni

says she doesn’t mind when United Nations earth mother Angelina Jolie is mistaken for working for the UN’s global children’s charity.

“Not that I mind when people make that mistake,” the actress said at a UNICEF fundraiser in the Back Bay last night. “Angelina Jolie is a good example of someone who really puts her time into bettering the lives of so many children.

“What I don’t understand is the media’s criticism (of Jolie’s) involvement in humanitarian aide and why they question her motives and sincerity,” said Tea. “It’s like, ‘Who cares?’ She’s doing a good job and putting so much of her time and money in the causes.”

And Leoni knows something about that. Her grandmother, silent screen star Helenka Pantaleoni, co-founded what would become the U.S. Fund for UNICEF in 1947 and then served as its president for 25 years. While the “Fun with Dick and Jane” star has officially served as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF since 2001, she said the family’s legacy has been with her since childhood.

UNICEF “has always been so much a part of my life beyond trick-or-treating,” the 41-year-old comedian said. “I spoke on behalf of my grandmother at events many times - I think once in Boston.”

But it was after she married “X Files” actor David Duchovny and had kids, Madelaine West, 7, and son, Kyd Miller, 4, that she decided to take a more active role in the organization.

Having children changes everything and it was my position as a mother that made me really raise the intensity level of my involvement,” she said. “I really look forward to when my daughter is old enough to come into the field with me.”

Leoni, who summers in South Dartmouth, was hosted last night by local actress and indie movie producer Christy Scott Cashman at her fine home in the Back Bay.

Apart from setting up last night’s charity event, Cashman has been busy gearing up for next Saturday’s John Hancock Hall premiere of her latest film, “Kettle of Fish,” in which she appears with indie star Matthew Modine.