The Thalians Celebrate Move to UCLA Operation Mend With a Tribute Concert Honoring Smokey Robinson

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 24, 2014) - The Thalians, the entertainment industry's leading nonprofit organization formed for the treatment of mental health, today announced they will honor Rock 'n Roll Hall of Famer, music legend and multi-Grammy® Award winner Smokey Robinson with its "Mr. Wonderful" award at their 56th Anniversary Gala at House of Blues, Sunset Strip, on April 26, 2014.

According to Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan called Smokey Robinson "America's greatest living poet." As a writer and crooner of songs, Smokey Robinson is peerless and prolific. Some of his countless hits include: "My Girl," "My Guy," "I Second That Emotion," "Tears of a Clown" (co-written with Stevie Wonder), "The Tracks of My Tears," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "Shop Around," "Get Ready," and "You've Really Got A Hold On Me." Smokey Robinson made major contributions to the success of Motown, a fact acknowledged by label founder Berry Gordy Jr. when he named the singer-songwriter Corporate Vice President of Motown Records. He has received numerous awards including the Grammy Living Legend Award, Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. He has also been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters' Hall of Fame.

Event Chairs and past gala underwriters, Kira and Bob Lorsch, also announced that for the second time the beneficiary of The Thalians philanthropic efforts will be UCLA's Operation Mend, a unique partnership among Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas and the Veterans Administration of the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Operation Mend was established to provide a multitude of specialized healthcare services to U.S. military personnel injured while serving their country in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year's Thalians gala proceeds benefit the mental health and wellness programs for America's wounded warriors.

The Thalians "Hollywood for Mental Health," long led by President Debbie Reynolds and Board Chair Ruta Lee, has raised over $30 million in support of THE THALIANS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, treating diseases ranging from Autism, Alzheimer's, Bi-Polar Disorder and Schizophrenia to Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Addictions. "In an effort to give where it is needed most and, clearly now, that is the care of our returning veterans," says Chair Emeritus Ruta Lee, "we have picked up our roots at Cedars-Sinai and headed west to UCLA OPERATION MEND, serving our country's wounded warriors and their families. After 55 years of association with Cedars-Sinai, we proudly leave behind The Thalians Center and Side-"Walk of Fame" as a tribute to the great work done at Cedars with The Thalians and the generosity of its patrons."

Those interested in purchasing tickets to the event or sponsorship opportunities may contact The Thalians at 818.994.4661 or scherr@theproperimageevents.com. More information is also available at The Thalians website http://www.thethalians.org.

About The Thalians Gala
The Thalians select its honorees for their contributions to the entertainment industry and personal philanthropy. The Mr./Ms. Wonderful award was personally created and designed for The Thalians by Walt Disney himself and has become a most sought after celebrity award. Smokey Robinson joins the illustrious list of Thalian honorees including: Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine, Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, Sammy Davis Jr., Debbie Reynolds, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, James Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Sally Field, Mary Tyler Moore, Burt Bacharach, Sir Roger Moore, Clint Eastwood, Mickey Rooney and Hugh M. Hefner. The Thalians' focus is now the mental health and well-being of America's wounded heroes.