On Sunday, October 8, the 19th annual Daytime Stars and Strikes Bowling event for the Autism Society was held in New York City.
Remembering the late Jerry verDorn
It was hosted by Elizabeth Keifer, Ron Raines, and Michael O’Leary. It also benefits the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund, which is in memory of the late Emmy award-winning actor Jerry verDorn (“Guiding Light” and “One Life to Live”).
Featured actor guests
This event featured such daytime actors as Kristen Alderson, Sean Ringgold, Beth Chamberlain, Bradley Cole, Mart Hulswit, Crystal Hunt, Elizabeth Keifer, Maeve Kinkead, Ilene Kristen, Kurt McKinney, Forbes March, Robert Newman, Michael O’Leary, Denise Pence, Ron Raines, Michelle Ray Smith, Elvera Rousell, Sonia Satra, and Gina Tognoni, among others.
Alan Locher of ‘The Locher Room’
“First of all, it is great to see everybody in person again for the first time since the pandemic,” Alan Locher, host of “The Locher Room” said. “It is great to honor Jerry verDorn in this way. Jerry started Daytime Stars and Strikes 19 years ago back in 2004, and today it benefits the Autism Society of America, which is close to a lot of people’s hearts.”
Kristen Alderson
On being a part of this benefit, Alderson said, “It has been so much fun. I didn’t realize how long it has been since I signed an autograph. It has been years… but it was so fun to see all of the other actors from the soaps… it’s a big ole reunion. It was great to see the fans, which are like family to us. It has been fun.”
“Jerry was so important to us, and this cause is so important to us as well,” Alderson admitted. “Jerry was just the best man ever, and it so weird not to have him here. We are all here because of Jerry and I know that he is here in spirit.”
Gina Tognoni
Emmy winner Gina Tognoni remarked, “It was so good to be here. I am so happy to see all of my friends for such a great cause. I know so many people that have been touched by autism. I am so happy that there is so much being done to help raise awareness, and bring more awareness to people that may not know what it’s all about.”
“I love the fans; it is so good to see everybody… I haven’t been to a fan event in so long. It just filled my heart, it was great,” Tognoni added.
Ilene Kristen
On being a part of this event, actress Ilene Kristen said, “It feels great, especially where we can come together (not wearing masks) and being with each other. That is a wonderful thing. Any charity organization is important, and Jerry verDorn was very important to us; he was a wonderful guy and we always came out to support him. We come out to support anybody that has a good charity.”
Forbes March
Forbes March noted that this cause is so important because of Jerry verDorn. “Jerry was a really important person in my life… He was my roommate during a very tumultuous period, and he was like a father figure for me for over a year. Jerry was a really awesome guy and I miss him,” March said.
