Sinatra's Twin Palms in Palm Springs to Host Benefit for Chinese Moon Bears

PALM SPRINGS, CA - Frank Sinatra's historic Twin Palms residence will provide the setting for a glamorous evening event to benefit the Hong Kong based charity, Animals Asia, on Thursday, September 29. The event will feature a silent auction, vegan hors d'oeuvres, wine, cocktails and a presentation by Animals Asia Founder and CEO, Dr. Jill Robinson, MBE.

Robinson received international acclaim in 2000 as the first foreign animal welfare leader to sign an agreement with the Chinese Government leading to the beginning of Animals Asia's unprecedented rescue of highly endangered Asiatic black bears - or moon bears- from barbaric bile farms in China.

In just over a decade the organization has rescued 361 bears and has expanded its work to include media, education and lobbying campaigns throughout Asia on a number of issues including the international bear bile trade, cat and dog consumption and the treatment of captive wildlife.

The evening will be part of a "roadshow" which sees Robinson speaking at events across the country including New York, Boston, San Francisco and Washington, DC where she will be joined by actress Ali MacGraw, a compassionate supporter of animal welfare causes. This is the organization's first event in the desert and their hope is to attract prominent community members to the cause, with an enlightening evening featuring cruelty free fare.

Twin Palms, built in 1947, was designed by E. Stewart Williams for Sinatra and his first wife Nancy Barbato. The home is an incredible example of mid-century architecture and has featured in photo shoots for magazines including Town and Country, and Vogue.

Jill Robinson was awarded the British MBE, the Genesis Award and the Readers Digest "Hero for Today" Award for her work in animal welfare. She has been featured in countless international news headlines as well as on CNN, NPR, the BBC and Animal Planet. Robinson has given hundreds of presentations around the world including US appearances at Harvard, Tufts and the World Affairs Council. Robinson divides her time between Animals Asia's Hong Kong headquarters and its Chengdu, China Rescue Center.

Animals Asia is headquartered in Hong Kong with offices in Australia, China, Germany, Italy, the UK, USA and Vietnam, and Moon Bear Rescue Centers in China and Vietnam. We have 270 staff worldwide and three flagship programs

End Bear Farming is aimed at bringing the barbaric practice of bear farming and the bile trade to an end. We have signed agreements with both the Chinese and Vietnamese governments to rescue bears from the torture of bile farms, and bring them to our sanctuaries to live out their lives in peace and safety.

Cat and Dog Welfare campaigns for a better life for cats and dogs by encouraging responsible dog and cat ownership, working with provincial governments in China towards ending culling, through our Friends or Food campaign to end cat and dog eating in Asia and with Animal Therapy through our pioneering Dr Dog and Professor Paws programs, which operate in 10 Asian cities.

Action against Cruelty includes our Captive Bear Care, Chinese Zoos and Safari Parks and Wildlife Consumption campaigns. We lobby government departments at all levels for long-term comprehensive legislation to protect animals, as well as bring about positive change today.

Tickets to the event, titled Fly Me To The Moon are $100 and can be reserved by phoning Animals Asia's US office at (415) 677- 9601.

Further information can be found on our website: http://www.animalsasia.org/