At the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Awards last Thursday (June 29), singing legend Patti Labelle implored attendees to band together to save Whitney Houston whom she called the “eighth wonder of the world.”

According to the Philadelphia Daily News LaBelle said, “Whitney needs help. We need to bring her up.”

Labelle hosted the event along with Smokey Robinson at Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. Presenters and attendees included Gerald Levert, Jill Scott, Beanie Sigel, Ashford & Simpson, and Gamble and Huff. Honorees included Motown pioneer Berry Gordy.

Houston made an unfortunate impression with her seemingly high & strung out appearances on the reality show Being Bobby Brown, despite past attempts at rehabilitation for drug abuse. However, a story on Entertainmentwise.com says that friends Denzel Washington and Mel Gibson have already extended a helping hand to the 43 year-old singer.