The annual Daytime Stars and Strikes fundraising event is returning for its 19th year in October, and things will be extra special this time. Not only will proceeds continue going to the Autism Society of America and the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund, but the event will return in-person for the first time since 2019. It will also provide soap opera fans expanded opportunities to meet some of their favorite stars from “As The World Turns” and “Guiding Light.”

First up, “As The World Turns” fan favorites Trent Dawson, Roger Howarth and Michael Park will participate in a play reading and meet and greet session on Saturday, October 7, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., with additional actors expected to join them. Each actor will perform a play reading followed by an intimate meet and greet, question and answer session. Tickets cost $70.00 per person with proceeds from ticket sales and auction items benefiting The Katonah Classic Stage. To purchase tickets, click here. 

Also taking place on Saturday, October 7, from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Bradley Cole from “Guiding Light” and his band will perform. Look for some of your favorite actors to perform alongside Cole and his band. Tickets cost $125.00 per person and benefits will go to the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund. To purchase tickets, click here.

On Sunday, October 8, the main event, “The 19th Annual Daytime Stars & Strikes Bowling Event for the Autism Society and the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund,” will take place from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. and will be hosted by “Guiding Light” favorites Elizabeth Keifer (Blake Marler), Ron Raines (Alan Spaulding) and Michael O’Leary (Rick Bauer). 

The theme for the event will be “The 80s” with special awards and prizes given, including the following:

• The Ross Marler Award – Best Overal Individual Score
• The Blake Marler Black Out Award – Most Strikes 
• The Alan Spaulding CEO Award – Most Strikes in a  Row
• The Reva Shayne Award – Most Spares
• The Four Musketeers Award – Best Score for a Team of 4 (to honor characters Rick, Phillip, Mindy and Beth)
• Best Eighties Costume – Photo in Soap Magazine with actor of choice in attendance

Tickets cost $125.00 per person and benefits will go to the Autism Society of America and the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund. Food and soft drinks are included in the ticket price. To purchase tickets, click here.

Hosted by Michael O’Leary from “Guiding Light,” “The 5th Annual Bauer BBQ” closes out the Daytime Stars and Strikes fan weekend on Sunday, October 8, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., with food, fun, games and laughter, including BBQ trivia, Burgers, Michael impression and handbag bingo, and much more. Tickets cost $125.00 per person and benefits will go to the Autism Society of America and the Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund. Food and soft drinks are included in the ticket price. To purchase tickets, click here.

In addition to Keifer, Raines and O’Leary, additional daytime stars tentatively scheduled to take part in both the bowling and BBQ sessions include:

• Grant Aleksander (Phillip Spaulding, “Guiding Light”)
• Beth Chamberlain (Beth Raines, “Guiding Light”)
• Bradley Cole (Prince Richard, “Guiding Light”)
• Brian Gaskill (Bobby Warner, “All My Children”)
• Rick Hearst (Alan-Michael Spaulding, “Guiding Light”)
• Mart Hulswit (Ed Bauer, “Guiding Light”)
• Crystal Hunt (Lizzie Spaulding, “Guiding Light”)
• Maeve Kinkead (Vanessa Chamberlain, “Guiding Light”)
• Kurt McKinney (Matt Reardon, “Guiding Light”)
• Robert Newman (Josh Lewis, “Guiding Light”)
• Denise Pence (Katie Parker, “Guiding Light”)
• Sonia Satra (Lucy Cooper, “Guiding Light”)
• Nancy St. Alban (Michelle Bauer, “Guiding Light”)
• Krista Tesreau Strauss (Mindy Lewis, “Guiding Light”)

All events are scheduled to take place at the Frames Bowling Lounge, located within the Port Authority building in New York City. 

Note: There is a special block of rooms at the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown – Time Square Hotel, which is close to the event’s venue. For information on hotel accommodations, click here.

Jerry verDorn (“Guiding Light, “One Life to Live”) co-hosted the charity event for 17 years before he sadly passed away last year after a battle with cancer. He was just 72 years old.

The vision of Daytime Stars and Strikes for Autism is to raise funds and awareness on behalf of individuals on the Autism Spectrum by ensuring all receive opportunities to learn, socialize, establish friendships, receive educational and employment opportunities and live their best life without barriers and in a safe environment. The organization is one of the longest-running soap-based charity events where fans encounter their favorite actors in an informal, relaxed, personal setting. 

Over the course of 18 years, Daytime Stars and Strikes has raised more than $500,000 for its beneficiaries. The small group of volunteers is thrilled to continue the mission as the landscape of daytime drama and web dramas continues to evolve.

The Jerry verDorn Scholarship Fund honors Jerry’s legacy through his love for the theatre and Daytime Stars and Strikes, which he hosted for 17 years.  The scholarship fund sends children with autism to theatre camps tuition-free.

For more information on Daytime Stars and Strikes, visit their official website or follow them on Twitter (@DStarsNStrikes) and Facebook.