Bummed that you couldn't be at the biggest soap party of the year? Don't worry -- Soap Opera Weekly has highlights and photos from the Ninth Annual Daytime Television Salutes St. Jude Children's Research Hospital benefit held at the New York Marriott Marquis Oct. 10.

"It went great," cheers event host/organizer Martha Byrne (Lily/Rose, AS THE WORLD TURNS), who logs in many long hours preparing for the benefit. "It's overwhelming. Everything has to go off as well as possible, and I really don't relax until it's over -- and even then, I'm so tired I just sleep (laughs)."

As for Byrne's favorite moments, "I always look forward to Michael (Park, ATWT's Jack) performing, he's so great. It was so nice to meet Drake Hogestyn (John, DAYS OF OUR LIVES), he's such a nice guy. And all those people that came in from Los Angeles -- Victoria (Rowell, YOUNG AND RESTLESS' Dru) and Michelle (Stafford, Y&R;'s Phyllis) -- it was just thrilling having them there."

For the first time, there were firemen on hand to sell raffle tickets -- and to create some heat of their own. "That was my idea," smiles Byrne. "I think we sold $30,000 in raffle tickets, and I attribute a lot of that to them because the women wanted to hang out with them and buy tickets. Those guys are the real stars."

Here are some more highlights:

Paul Leyden (ex-Simon, ATWT) reunited with former on-screen love Terri Colombino (Katie, ATWT). "Martha Bryne would have my b---- if I didn't show up," he laughed.

Matthew Ashford (ex-Jack, Days; soon-to-be Professor Haver, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) and his wife Christina Saffran charmed the crowd with their rendition of They Can't Take That Away From Me. Ashford (who hadn't yet been cast on OLTL) later proudly showed photos of his daughters Grace and Emma to Weekly and said, "It's great to come to New York and see everyone turn out for something like this."