B&B fans now have the chance to purchase unique memorabilia from their favorite soap or vie for a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience with one of its stars — and all for a good cause. That’s because a charitable organization called Thursday’s Child (www.thursdayschild.org) is offering dresses worn by Jennifer Gareis(Donna, r.) and Ashley Jones (Bridget) or an opportunity to share a meal with Gareis via online auctions, currently posted on www.ebay.com. Proceeds from the sales will go directly to the foundation.
“Thursday’s Child is such a great charity,” says Gareis. “It’s basically a hotline and they deal with so many different issues, like runaways, addictions and anorexia.”
Even before these particular auctions, the actress was already involved with Thursday’s Child. “I’ve done a few things for them before,” she explains. “I also appeared on THE TYRA BANKS SHOW to help raise awareness. On that episode, it was about child exploitation and shutting down a lot of sites on the Internet about that kind of thing.”
Gareis points out that her donated frock has an unusual distinction. “I never actually wore it on the show,” she notes. “It’s the dress that I wear in the opening credits, so it gets seen every day. And people can bid on the Bridget dress, too, which Ashley wore on the show, as well as in our most recent cast photo.”
As previously mentioned, not only is the clothing up for sale, but in a separate auction, Gareis will break bread with the top bidder. “I was thinking of a Sunday brunch,” she says. “It still could change and be lunch at the CBS commissary, but I’m leaning toward the brunch. I know for sure that I’m not working on Sundays, so then I could give my undivided attention to the winner. If it’s in the middle of work and I’m nervous because I have a billion lines to learn, I’m afraid I won’t be as attentive, so I’m thinking it’s better to do it on a day off.”
But Gareis is still flexible about which day of the week. “If the fan really wants to come and see the studio, I’m sure we can arrange that,” she smiles. “And there are some great restaurants behind CBS at The Grove [shopping complex].”
And don’t hold back from bidding just because you’re the shy type. Gareis promises that she’ll keep the conversation going. “I’m definitely a gabber,” she laughs. “I can talk, talk, talk about anything. No one has to worry about keeping me entertained.”
Here’s a little background information on Thursday’s Child, which was founded in 1982 to assist at-risk youth: It is the only national agency, private or public, that deals with the broad spectrum of troubled children without any religious overtone or affiliation. Every call to the hotline is answered without any automated hold time or additional numbers to press. All work is volunteer and the services are free of charge. The toll-free number that can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week is 1-(800)-USA-KIDS.
“I can’t say enough about the important services they provide,” stresses Gareis. “People can really make a difference and help kids by logging on to e-bay and taking part in these auctions.”
Interested parties can take a peek at the items and start bidding by clicking on to the following links:
