SOAP OPERA UPDATE – OCTOBER 23, 2001

News
25 Stars Come Together…
Daytime heeds Mayor Rudolph Guiliani’s call for aid in response to horror:

Daytime’s top celebrities have joined together to raise money for “The Twin Towers Fun,” established by New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in wake of the terrorist attacks which took place on September 11. All the monies raised will serve the purpose of assisting families of firefighters and police officers who lost their lives or were injured.

1,000 T-shirts – designed with a United States flag, featuring the signatures of 25 of daytime’s elite – have been created by the stars themselves. By purchasing one, your $25 donation will go straight to the relief effort.

The performers have paid for the T-shirts’ production costs … and will pay for all other expenses.

Those involved are Maurice Bernard, Chad Brannon, Stuart Damon, Anthony Geary, Rebecca Herbst, Lynn Herring, John Ingle, Wally, Kurth, Marisa Ramirez, Kin Shriner, Billy Warlock, John J. York, Jacklyn Zeaman, Peter Bergman, Matt Cedano, Patrika Darbo, Josh Duhamel, David Fumero, Erin Torpey, Jon and Kelley Menighan Hensley, Vincent Irizarry, Cameron Mathison, Joshua Morrow and Jordi Vilasuso.

The T-shirt was the brainchild of photographer Jim Warrren and every star he asked wanted to be included.

“Being so far away (on the West Coast), we feel disconnected. And we all need to be doing something.” Explains DAY’s Darbo.

GH’s Shriner agrees: “Whatever we, and the daytime audience, can do to help is good. We are all up for it. Jim came up with this idea; I said, ‘Count me in.’”

“Jim Warren asked me,” says Y&R’s Bergman. “And like so many Americans, I feel helpless in trying to be of some aid. I jumped at the opportunity.”

GL’s Jordi Vilasuso sums up: “It’s a great thing that people are coming together. When you use your celebrity for something this close to home, it’s good to be able to give back.”