Operation Smile to Honor Mario Lopez, American Idol: "Idol Gives Back" and Vicky Mense at 7th Annual Smile Gala in Los Angeles

Operation Smile, a worldwide children's medical charity dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults, will honor Mario Lopez, American Idol: "Idol Gives Back" and Vicky Mense at its 7th Annual Smile Gala, September 18, 2008 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  A special Founders Circle presentation will be made to the Roma Downey and Mark Burnett Family.  "E! News" host Giuliana Rancic will emcee.  Event is Co-Chaired by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, Victoria Jackson and Bill Guthy and Kelly and Ron Meyer. 

The Universal Smile Award will be presented to Mario Lopez.  Mario danced his way into America’s hearts on the hit ABC program "Dancing With the Stars."  Following the series, Lopez was named the host of “Weekend Extra” and was most recently named the new host of the daily syndicated entertainment magazine program, “Extra.”  This summer, Mario successfully completed his first run on Broadway, starring in the lead role of ‘Zach’ in A CHORUS LINE.  He is a recurring commentator for HBO Boxing and is host of MTV’s hit series “America’s Best Dance Crew.”  In September, Mario will take on another hosting duty at MTV, this time on the show “Top Pop Group.”  In addition to his television and stage work, he recently released his first book, “Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness” and will be soon releasing his second book which will be a children’s book entitled “Mud Tacos,” which he co-wrote with his sister Marissa.

The Wallis Annenberg Public Service Award will be awarded to Vicky Mense.  Vicky was born in Taipei, Taiwan and moved to the United States in 1984 with her husband Raphael Mense.  She opened Xi’an restaurant in Beverly Hills in 1996.  With gratitude for the community’s patronage she has become involved in various charitable organizations where she has built and cultivated many meaningful and long last relationships with community members and leaders.  She currently serves as Chairwoman of the Board of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce.  She is also a member of the board of the Rotary Club, Maple Counseling Center and Beverly Hills Global Partners.  Vicky recently joined an Operation Smile medical mission to China.

The Corporate Humanitarian Award will be presented to Idol Gives Back Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by the producers of American Idol and Fox to raise money and awareness for children and families living in poverty and at risk in the United States and Africa.  "Idol Gives Back" was successfully launched as a charity event in 2007 and has since grown into a 501c(3) non-profit charitable organization in its own right, named the Idol Gives Back Foundation, with representatives from Fox Broadcasting Company, FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment as its Board Members.   Idol Gives Back Foundation harnesses the power of “American Idol” to capture America’s hearts, and the power of entertainment to benefit some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world.  

Operation Smile Co-founders Dr. William P. Magee and his wife, Kathleen, will make a special Founders Circle presentation to the Roma Downey and Mark Burnett family.  Roma has served as an Operation Smile spokesperson for five years and currently serves on the Board of Governors.  In March 2008, Roma and her husband Mark Burnett and three children traveled to Amman, Jordan to attend an Operation Smile medical mission as well as the opening ceremony of the Roma Downey Life Support Training Center.  Roma donated life support program equipment and books, as well as funds needed to support training programs for one year. 

Founded in 1982, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults.  Since its founding, Operation Smile volunteers have treated more than 120,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and currently work in 51 countries.  In addition to contributing free medical treatments, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.  For more information, please visit www.operationsmile.org.

Past honorees have included Roma Downey, Cindy McCain, the Trump Family, Goldie Hawn, Calista Flockhart, Jessica Simpson, Nick Lachey, Molly Sims, Victoria Jackson and Bill Guthy, Sy Goldberg, Wilt Chamberlain, John Salley, Karl Malone, Elton Brand, Norm Nixon and Corey Maggette.

Operation Smile’s Smile Gala will be produced for the fourth consecutive year by Scott Mauro, Executive Producer of Scott Mauro Entertainment, Inc.   Individual tickets begin at $500 and table packages begin at $5,000.  For ticket information, call Grant Associates (323) 904-4400.

Contact: 

Pam Giangregorio
Katy Sweet & Associates
(323) 852-0772 or KatySweet1@aol.com

Lisa Jardanhazy
VP of Marketing & Communications
Operation Smile
(757) 321-3250 or ljardan@operationsmile.org