Six soap opera stars and many fans arrived at the Garden City Hotel last Saturday evening, less than a week before the Daytime Emmy Award Show, to help raise money for the North Shore Animal League.

The actors and actresses on hand to support this cause were Michael E. Knight, "Tad Martin" from All My Children; Billy Kaye and George Alvarez, "Shane Lewis" and "Ray Santos" on Guiding Light; and Catherine Hickland, Christine Toy Johnson, and Darlene Vogel, "Lindsay Rappoport," Lisa West," and "Melanie MacIver" on One Life to Live. Fans lined up outside the Garden City Hotel before the event, excitedly talking about which stars they would get to meet and trying to get a glimpse of who was getting out of the limousines as they arrived. After entering the hotel and receiving a list of the actors and actresses who would be appearing some fans expressed disappointment that Garden City resident Susan Lucci, who this year has received her 20th nomination for a daytime Emmy, would not be attending the event.

Each of the soap opera actors and actresses who were on hand were more than gracious to those in attendance, taking time to speak with them before the formal program began. Prior to the beginning of the program each of the stars, with the exception of Michael E. Knight who was stuck in traffic and arrived after the program began, spoke with the Garden City Life about why they chose to attend this event rather than the Tech Emmys which were being held at the same time.

Christine Toy Johnson, from One Life to Live, stated that she is a big animal lover and has heard so many good things about the North Shore Animal League that she wanted to support them. She added that this was also a great opportunity for her to meet the fans, which she loves. She said that it is fun to meet the people who watch the shows because they are always so supportive.

Billy Kaye, from Guiding Light, echoed Johnson's sentiments, stating that he too was an animal lover. Kaye has always been a part of the P.A.W.S. Walk and recently adopted a dog from P.A.W.S. Kaye added that meeting the fans is an additional perk to an event such as this and that it makes him feel good to be able to attend an event like this.

George Alvarez, from Guiding Light, actually gave up the opportunity to present at the Technical Emmys in order to support the North Shore Animal League, an organization he is very familiar with. The North Shore Animal League, according to Alvarez, "Holds a special place in my heart." Years ago he adopted a cat from the organization and though the pet is no longer alive, Alvarez still does what he can to support the organization that brought the cat into his life. Alvarez added that spending time with the fans is "the least I can do," noting that he is very grateful for their support.

Darlene Vogel, from One Life to Live, like her colleagues, noted that she is a huge animal lover, which is what brought her to the Garden City Hotel for this fund raiser. She said that she really believes in the North Shore Animal League because she believes in rescuing animals, a function which the organization is known for, rather than breeding them. She said that people should support the North Shore Animal League and other facilities that care for abandoned animals rather than buying pets from a pet store, which breeds the animals. Vogel then said how great the fans are and how much she appreciates that they came out to support the stars and raise money for a good cause.

Catherine Hickland, also from One Life to Live, noted that she and her husband, Michael E. Knight, from All My Children, are such animal lovers that they have six cats and two dogs, "And they all look like me," she quipped. "I would do anything to support the North Shore Animal League," said Hickland. She noted that she gets so many calls to do charity events that she has to be selective but commented that animals are something that she always makes time for.

When representatives from the North Shore Animal League brought out two of the puppies who had recently been adopted the actors and actresses took turns holding them. "I'm in love," said Alvarez when he was holding one of the adorable puppies. When the formal program began with a question and answer session, Vogel brought one of the puppies up to the stage with her, commenting, "They may already be adopted but this one is mine for the evening."

Hickland, during the question and answer period, told a little bit about her new cosmetics line, Cat Cosmetics, and informed the fans that the proceeds from any of the cosmetics or her CD, sold at the event, would go to the North Shore Animal League.

Questions for the actors and actresses came from fans from all across the metropolitan area, including Jim Roth of Garden City, an All My Children fan. Questions ranged from "what advice would you give an aspiring actor or actress" to questions about the various actors' and actress' storylines, to questions about how the stars keep in shape.

Brian Rosenberg, who runs Blu, the club in the Garden City Hotel where the event was held, thanked the actors and actresses and Goumba Johnny, from the KTU Radio morning show who was the MC for the event, for their time and noted that nobody except for the North Shore Animal League was receiving any money from the party.

After the regular question and answer session fans had an opportunity to get autographs, have their pictures taken with the stars, and purchase Catherine Hickland's products.

Following the autograph and photo session, there was a special question and answer period with real life husband and wife Catherine Hickland and Michael E. Kinght. One fan asked how they came to support the North Shore Animal League and Knight responded that Linda Rohe, who along with Marcia Tovsky, both of Coastal Entertainment Productions coordinated the event, found them and asked them to participate in this event. Knight commented on the couples' eight pets and said that he calls the pets "little livestock."

After the question and answer period there was an auction where items such as autographed scripts from many of the shows, a tour of the set of One Life to Live with one of the stars, and a tour of the set of All My Children with Michael E. Knight, which raised the second largest amount. A trip to LA to tour the set of General Hospital with one of the stars of the show was the highest ticket item. When it appeared that no one could afford the trip Rosenberg kicked in the additional amount, as he did on several occasions when it appeared the prices were too high for those who really wanted the items. He also generously bid on an autographed All My Children script for a handicapped woman who was in attendance.

Though this was the first such event held at the hotel for the North Shore Animal League, thousands of dollars were raised for the organization through the auction, ticket prices and the purchase of Hickland's products. In addition to helping this worthwhile cause, fans who watch these stars on their television screens every day were able to have the experience of a lifetime and meet and speak to their favorites, making the pre-Emmy party a success for all involved.