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Soap opera hunk headlines benefit lunch

Walt Willey of All My Children is the host and grand prize in a fundraiser for All Children's Hospital.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published January 31, 2005

BELLEAIR - You might be surprised to hear that a local women's group has booked a major soap star for a benefit at the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa.

But All My Children's Walt Willey, who has hosted numerous fundraisers, said he's "pretty easily wrangled for charity events."

In fact, he calls them a celebrity "perk."

"The table at the restaurant doesn't mean very much for me because I never go out," said Willey, before jetting off to Los Angeles to watch co-star Susan Lucci receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

With a Tuesday reservation deadline, there's still time to nab a seat at the Celebrity Fashion Show & Luncheon, which will benefit All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.

The fundraiser will also offer a dream opportunity for fans of the 6-foot-3, blue-eyed heartthrob.

That's because Willey is putting himself on the auction block.

The highest bidder will join him for dinner at a local restaurant after the benefit.

"Being grand prize is better than being booby prize," said Willey, 54, who portrays attorney Jackson Montgomery, Lucci's beau on the show.

All luncheon guests will be treated to chicken Caesar salad, creme brulee and a beverage of their choice in the resort's Tiffany Room. There will also be a cash bar for those who prefer a cocktail.

The benefit is organized by Daughters of Penelope Clearwater-Pelias Chapter 186, a Greek-American philanthropic group affiliated with the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

Members of Daughters of Penelope will model spring fashions from Stein Mart's Seminole Mall location, and an assortment of prizes will be raffled off, including a basket of Lucci's products.

Patti Werynski, event organizer and avid soap fan, booked Willey after contacting his agent a few months ago. She met Willey at a Super Soap Weekend at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World.

Werynski said the luncheon is drawing Willey fans from all over Florida since ads promoting the event were published in newspapers, soap opera magazines and on soap Web sites.

Willey, who never misses soap weekends, said he doesn't take his celebrity status or his fans for granted. He remembers how his father toiled at a coal mine and glass factory when he was a kid.

"When I go out and see fans, it still seems like a dream," Willey said.

Willey's talents stretch far beyond his role on All My Children . He's a cartoonist, columnist, screenwriter and stand-up comedian.

Willey, who started his comedy career about 15 years ago, described his act as a "cross between Robin Williams and Richard Pryor."

He's squeezing in a gig on his visit. You can check him out at Side Splitters Comedy Club in Tampa on Feb. 13.

--Lorri Helfand can be reached at 445-4155 or at lorri@sptimes.com

IF YOU GO

The Celebrity Fashion Show & Luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m Feb. 12 at the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa, 25 Belleview Blvd., Belleair. Seats are $45 per person. Reservation deadline is Tuesday. For information, call Joanne at 785-2358 or Patti at 595-1294.

[Last modified January 31, 2005, 00:38:15]