Caron New York to Honor Mutual of America's Thomas J. Moran and Music Legends Dr. John and Patti Labelle at Annual Gala on May 18th in Manhattan
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John to Perform Multitalented Charles Grodin to Host
Funds Raised will Benefit Caron’s Scholarship Program and Support Musicians in Need of Addiction Treatment
April 26, 2011 (New York, NY) – Caron New York, the city’s regional office of Caron Treatment Centers, will hold its annual Gala on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Cipriani on 42nd Street in Manhattan. Multitalented actor, director, author and CBS News commentator Charles Grodin will host the celebration honoring Mutual of America Chairman, President & CEO Thomas J. Moran who will receive the 2011 Richard J. Caron Award of Excellence for his corporate and humanitarian leadership and his support of Caron's mission. The event will feature a live musical performance by New Orleans Legend and 2011 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Dr. John who will also accept the Caron Recovery Advocacy Award for his longstanding commitment to helping musicians find recovery. Additionally, R&B superstar Patti LaBelle will be honored with the Caron Creative Artist’s Award for her enduring support of Caron and her philanthropic spirit. Funds raised at the Gala will support Caron Treatment Centers’ scholarship program as well as the services and growth of the organization’s New York Recovery Center. A portion of the proceeds will support musicians who need addiction treatment.
Caron Treatment Centers is a nationally recognized nonprofit provider of alcohol and drug addiction treatment. Last year, with the help of its generous donors, Caron distributed approximately $10 million in scholarships to addicted individuals and families. The New York Recovery Center helps Caron continue its mission of providing “Recovery for Life” through unique services offered for adolescents, young adults, adults and their families. The Recovery Center offers screening and education and provides a healthy recovery environment for Caron Alumni activities.
Thomas J. Moran is Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mutual of America Life Insurance Company. During his more than three decades of service, Mutual of America has grown from a small retirement association to a highly rated life insurance company with over $13 billion in assets. Mr. Moran also serves on the Boards of Directors of Aer Lingus, the Smurfit Graduate School of Business at University College Dublin, Thirteen WNET, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the Irish Hunger Memorial in New York City.
Moran is also Chairman of Concern Worldwide (U.S.), an international humanitarian relief organization operating in 28 of the poorest countries in the world. In recognition of his generous support, he has received membership in the Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way and Excalibur membership in the American Cancer Society. Moran has also received numerous awards, including the Calvary Hospital Medal of Honor, the New York City Fire Department Humanitarian Award, the Commissioner’s Award by the New York City Police Foundation and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. For his extraordinary service to Ireland and his support of the Northern Ireland Peace Process, Moran was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree from the National University of Ireland and an Honorary Doctor of Science in Economics from Queen’s University Belfast. The Prime Minister of Ireland commented that “his selfless actions have improved the lives of thousands.” Moran graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattan College. He and his wife, Joan, reside in New York.
Dr. John is universally celebrated as the embodiment of the rich musical heritage of New Orleans. His career began in the 1950s when he wrote and performed on some of the greatest records to come out of the Crescent City, including recordings by Professor Longhair, Art Neville, Joe Tex and Frankie Ford. He launched his solo career in the 1960s, developing the charismatic persona of Dr. John The Nite Tripper. Among his many career highlights are the 1971 album Sun, Moon and Herbs with cameos by Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger and 1973’s In the Right Place which featured his hits “Right Place, Wrong Time” and “Such a Night.” He won Grammy Awards in 1989, 1992, 2000 and 2008, and in 2004, his song “N’awlinz Dis Dat or D’udda” was awarded the prestigious Académie Charles Cros 57ème Palmarès award in France. In March of this year, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Patti LaBelle’s ability to belt out classic R&B renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets has created the unique platform of versatility for which she is known. With her signature strong and soulful voice, this Philadelphia born entertainer captured her first hit in 1962 as lead singer of the Bluebelles and went on to worldwide acclaim with her trio, Labelle. A solo artist since the 1970s, LaBelle’s songs have garnered numerous honors, including Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards and more. From music to film to books, she has shown her diversity and broken down barriers as an entertainer and businesswoman. In addition to being a world-class artist and mother of five, LaBelle is well known for her philanthropy and willingness to share her blessings and gifts with the world.
Charles Grodin is best known for his roles in the movies The Heartbreak Kid, Midnight Run, and the children’s classic Beethoven series. For the last 15 years, he has been a commentator for CNBC, MSNBC and 60 Minutes II, and he is currently heard across America every day as a commentator for CBS News Radio. Grodin is active in the philanthropic world, as well. He has been honored by the Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation for his efforts in raising money for research. He is the head of the Advisory Council of the Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation and is on the Advisory Council of the Children’s Health Fund. A recipient of the William Kuntsler Award for Racial Justice, he was cited by Governor Pataki of New York for helping reform the Rockefeller Drug laws in 2004. Additionally, he is the winner of the Help Hero Award as well as the Habitat for Humanity Award for his efforts on behalf of the homeless. He has also been honored by Mentoring U.S.A., where he is a board member, for his efforts on their behalf, and he is a mentor to a young man with a form of autism. Grodin also serves on the board of Blue Card, an organization that helps raise funds for Holocaust survivors living below the poverty level. All of the proceeds from his last two books have gone to Help U.S.A. and Mentoring U.S.A.
About Caron Treatment Centers
Caron Treatment Centers is a nationally recognized non-profit provider of alcohol and drug addiction treatment. With more than 50 years in the field, Caron is one of the oldest and largest facilities offering primary, relapse and extended residential treatment for young adults, adults and adolescents, as well as families affected by the disease of addiction. Caron's gender separate and gender specific programs are housed in modern, state-of-the-art facilities. Caron has extensive experience in the treatment of co-occurring psychological/psychiatric disorders within its patient community. Caron utilizes research on Recovery For Life from leading institutions such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and The University of Pennsylvania’s Treatment Research Institute. Formerly the Caron Foundation, Caron Treatment Centers operates residential treatment centers in southeastern Pennsylvania and Dallas, Texas; Caron Renaissance, an extended care treatment center in Boca Raton, Florida and regional offices in Bermuda, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.. For more information, visit www.caron.org or follow Caron on Twitter at @CaronTreatment.
