Thalians to Honor Wounded Heroes and Salute Hugh M. Hefner at the Playboy Mansion

LOS ANGELES, March 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thalians, the entertainment industry's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to the treatment of mental health, will honor Hugh M. Hefner for a lifetime of philanthropy with the annual "Mr. Wonderful" award at their 55th Anniversary Gala at the Playboy Mansion, April 30, 2011. Timothy A. Miller, M.D., Chief of the Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and Executive Director and Chief Surgeon of UCLA's Operation Mend, himself a Vietnam veteran, is receiving a special award for his work healing America's wounded warriors . . . body, mind and spirit.

The Thalians, long led by President Debbie Reynolds and Board Chair Ruta Lee, has raised over $30 million in support of mental health diseases ranging from Autism, Alzheimer's, Bi-Polar Disorder, and Schizophrenia, to Phobias, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Addictions. The beneficiary of this year's event is Operation Mend at the UCLA Health System. Operation Mend treats U.S. soldiers and veterans severely injured during service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Produced by Gilbert Adler of "Valkyrie" and "Superman Returns" fame, the evening features an all-star line-up including Jeffrey Ross, Rich Little, "Last Comic Standing's" Felipe Esparza, recording artists Joy Enriquez, Christopher and Kyle Massey, a special performance by Crystal Harris, the soon-to-be "Mrs. Hugh Hefner" and some of the industry's greatest musicians will Rock The Rabbit Stage for a once-in-a-lifetime concert. They include: Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), Billy Morrison (The Cult), Donovan Leitch (Camp Freddy), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Franky Perez (Slash), Grant Fitzpatrick (Darling Stilettos) and Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses) . Grammy Award winner and season ten "American Idol" producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is Musical Director. Dancing to music by DJ Linney, amazing food, auctions, full-hosted bar and "Bunnies" round out the celebration.

Past honorees include: Mickey Rooney, Clint Eastwood, Sir Roger Moore, Burt Bacharach, Phyllis Diller, Mary Tyler Moore, Ruta Lee, Sally Field, Carol Channing, Kenny Rogers, Lena Horne, Donald O'Connor, Jack Lemmon, Liza Minnelli, Count Basie, Whoopi Goldberg, Rita Hayworth, James Stewart, Angela Lansbury, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Debbie Reynolds, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Ann-Margaret, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Gene Kelly, Shirley MacLaine, Ed Sullivan, Lana Turner and Jimmy Durante.

Those interested in attending the gala or supporting The Thalians and Operation Mend, call (310) 423-1040 or visit www.thethalians.org. Tickets $1,000.

Download invitation and RSVP form at www.rhlgroup.com/thalians.

SOURCE The Thalians