Exclusive: GH’s Josh Kelly On Star-studded Fire Fundraiser: ‘I Just Want To Help’
Josh Kelly (Cody, General Hospital), alongside Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), will serve as co-host of a special Zoom to benefit victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Titled “Daytime Makes a Difference,” the streaming event is set to take place on Sunday, January 19 and features an impressive roster of stars from multiple daytime shows. From GH, Kelly and Anderson will be joined by Tabyana Ali (Trina), Tajh Bellow (TJ), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Ian Buchanan (ex-Duke), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Tanisha Harper (Jordan), Rick Hearst (Ric), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Finola Hughes (Anna), Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle), Eva LaRue (Natalia), Jon Lindstrom (Kevin), Kate Mansi (Kristina), Vanessa Marcil (ex-Brenda), Sofia Mattsson (Sasha), Scott Reeves (ex-Steve; ex-Ryan, Young and Restless), Tristan Rogers (Robert), Emma Samms (Holly), Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), Parry Shen (Brad), Rena Sofer (Lois), Josh Swickard (Chase), Donnell Turner (Curtis), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Sawandi Wilson (Isaiah), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), John J. York (Mac) and Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), in addition to Cameron Mathison (Drew), who lost his home to the destructive blazes. Days of our Lives stars Carson Boatman (Johnny), Tamara Braun (Ava; ex-Carly/ex-Kim, GH), Eric Martsolf (Brady) and Brandon Barash (ex-Stefan/ex-Jake; ex-Johnny, GH) round out the list of confirmed talent. (To buy tickets, click here.)
Helping Hands
Kelly tells Soap Opera Digest that he came up with the idea for the fundraiser as he sought a way to give back to his fellow Californians in the wake of the tragedy. “I just really didn’t know what I could do to help,” the actor explains. “I wanted to be out helping if I could, but I sort of felt like I would just be in the way. But it felt really weird not to be doing anything, you know? I just want to help!”
In the early days of the crisis, with firefighters struggling to contain the massive fires, “Chloe [Lanier, his real-life girlfriend, who played GH’s Nelle] and I went over to one of our friend’s houses because his in-laws were very scared, and we wanted just to be able to kind of support them,” Kelly says. “I think my military experience” — he was an Army Ranger and served in Iraq and Afghanistan — “made them feel more comfortable. And we were just kind of brainstorming, like, ‘What can we do?’ And I came up with, ‘Well, what if we did some sort of charity Zoom thing?’ And Chloe suggested I contact Linda [Rohe, who runs Coastal Entertainment, which hosts Zooms and in-person fan events featuring daytime stars]. I contacted her, and she was in.”
Rohe then reached out to Bradford Anderson, who also eagerly signed on to participate. “It was great that she called Bradford because he’s so much more familiar with organizing stuff like this than I am,” Kelly enthuses. The group then went about enlisting the participation of their colleagues, and Kelly notes, “Everyone was really willing. I mean, everyone is so nice on the show and this is something that we can do to help. You know, I texted anyone [that I knew had been affected], like Cameron [Mathison], and I said, ‘We have a truck and an SUV if you need us to help with anything.’ Same with friends who had evacuated. But this seemed like something that was very easy to do that could end up helping a lot of people. And I think a lot of people were feeling the same way, like they really wanted to be able to do something to help. And, very easily, everyone said, ‘Oh, I’ll do it! Of course I’ll do it!’ ”
As the planning continued, three incredibly worthy organizations were selected to be the beneficiaries of the proceeds from the event; 100% of all money raised will go to World Central Kitchen, the Pasadena Humane Society, and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Together, the three organizations are providing critical, boots-on-the-ground aid to people and animals who have been impacted by the fires. “We really want to raise awareness of the amazing work they’re doing and do what we can to help them,” Kelly states.
Kelly is excited for the event to come together on Sunday. “Bradford and I will be hosting all these amazing guests from the past and present of General Hospital,” he marvels. “We have a ton of people coming from GH and also from DAYS, and they are each going to have a certain amount of time. Fans will be able to submit questions for the stars in the chat, and then Bradford and I will ask those questions. People will tell stories, and we’re going to try to keep it very upbeat and fun. No fans will ever get a Zoom like this again! It’s got almost everyone, you know? Everyone that you’ve ever wanted to ask a question to.”
He concludes, “It just feels really good to be able to do something, and it’s so nice to see everyone chipping in to help and everyone coming together.”
For those who are unable to join the Zoom live — it is set to begin at 3:30 p.m. EST, with “doors” opening at 2:30 p.m. EST, the purchase of a ticket will get you a link to watch a recording of the event, which will be available for 14 days.
Get all the information you need to participate in the Zoom here.
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