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PROFILE

Star of the Week

BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Interview

Cause and Affect

— By Devin Owens

Thanks to Ashley Jones (Bridget), a very lucky B&B enthusiast and three friends can receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit their favorite soap's set in Los Angeles, where the actress will serve as the personal tour guide. It’s all possible through a charity auction that is being held online by www.charityfolks.com. The proceeds from the highest bid will go to a good cause, Step Up Women's Network, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for women and girls so that they may have the necessary tools to create a better future.

"I have been involved with Step Up for about two years, but in the last six months, I have really thrown myself into it," explains Jones. "This organization does make a difference for a variety of different people, just not underprivileged youth. It's also a great way for women to meet other professional women and have a close-knit group in a large city to mingle with and get to know the facets of different industries."

Even though this isn't the first time Jones has escorted visitors to the set, this particular prize means a lot more to her. "I've done the tour guide thing when B&B asked me to show around fans who won a contest," she notes. "But this is the first time that I initiated this on my own and that it's totally my thing."

Despite her connections, the prize package wasn't a simple feat to pull off. "CBS has gotten pretty strict about keeping the sets closed to the public," Jones points out. "It's a big deal to get people approved so they can come in. It has to be something important, so I'm proud to say this is special enough." There will be a lot of other extras included. Besides visiting Eric and Stephanie's living room, the Big Bear cabin and Nick's boat, the lucky party of four will get a first-hand look at B&B's fabulous wardrobe department, as well as the show's well-known neighbors. "I'm going to also take them through the sets of THE PRICE IS RIGHT, THE TYRA BANKS SHOW and YOUNG AND RESTLESS," smiles Jones.

Lady Luck: B&B's Ashley Jones (Bridget) is ready to give the winners of her auction an experience they'll never forget.
— Craig Barritt/JPI

After that, the group will head to the CBS commissary for lunch, where they'll be dining with other special guests. "Some of my friends are going to join us, like Jack [Wagner, Nick], Katherine [Kelly Lang, Brooke] and whoever else I can wrangle on that day," chuckles Jones. "And believe me, I'm a pretty good wrangler."

The perks don't stop there. Jones is putting together a memorable gift collection. "I want to throw in a few extras, like some signed scripts, photos and other B&B paraphernalia," she details. "Also, if the winners want to come during the fan event weekend in August, I've gotten them free tickets that would normally cost $150 apiece. That also includes the B&B 20th Anniversary book. I hope to have some other surprises because I want to make this as special as possible."

Jones is thrilled that her effort could generate a very nice amount for her cause. "I've seen the money work for Step Up firsthand," she beams. "I'm very particular about things like that. I don't like giving my money away without knowing where it's going."

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