April 4, 1998 will be a date that I will always remember. I attended the Children's Cancer Foundation Benefit and I was fortunate enough to meet Don there. My first glimpse of him was coming off of the elevator. We had just started to walk down the hall towards our room when he casually walked by us. Needless to say, I was speechless. So speechless that I couldn't even remember his name. I just blurted out (the elevator door was already closed) "Oh god, that was Joey Buchanan". I was on cloud nine knowing he was there since I was such a big fan of his. After I calmed down a bit, we all got ready for the dinner that night. I was a bit disappointed to be sitting in the back of the room but that turned to delight when I realized the celebrities would be walking into the event right in front of us! I was able to get a picture or two, but unfortunately didn't get a chance to speak to him at the event. The event was great and it wasn't until it was all over that I finally spoke to Don. We headed to the bar afterwards (where else would I be? LOL) and I had to give Ingo a message from Kira (President of the IRFC) Lo and behold, who is standing right behind Ingo? *DON* I gently tapped him on the shoulder and told him how much I enjoy his work as "Joey", than asked for his autograph. He was extremely nice as he signed my book. I was a bit flustered after that and I almost forgot to talk to Ingo LOL! By the time I was done, I noticed that Don was taking pics with some other fans, so I asked if I could have my pic with him. He winked and nodded and it was soon my turn!! I handed Sharon the camera as Don put his arm around me (major swoon!) She was having a slight problem with focussing the camera but I told her to take her time (and who wouldn't? ) I thanked Don after that and that was all for that night.
Sunday was a bit different. I maneuvered myself to one of the front tables (where I met Lisa!), directly in front of Don. I took a few casual shots and he posed for a few with Ingo, Scott (Wilkie, Ingo's friend) and Tim Gibbs. At auction time, I decided that I had to have something that Don was auctioning off (within price reason) I tried to win the skit with him, but got outbid by $25. I came away with a OLTL autographed script (with many cast autographs) for a mere $200 LOL (I had to break the news to Kurt gently!!)
The next best thing to meeting him for the first time was getting that "all important" phone call from him about accepting my offer to run the fan club and web site! Even though I don't like getting my picture taken, I truly would have loved to have seen the look on my face when the voice on the other end of the phone said "Hi, this is Don Jeffcoat!!"