HOLLYWOOD—Famous and super popular actress Bobbie Eakes, who has starred on CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” in an iconic role, and is now playing Crystal on ABC’s “All My Children,” has always been willing to help those in need. Bobbie is currently preparing for a local marathon and exclusively shared with Canyon News the scoop on her upcoming race for charity. “I’ve never run a marathon before, Tommy, but almost! I was training for my first marathon in the NY Marathon in 2008. I was running for the charity Meals on Wheels, which brings food to shut-ins in the city,” said Eakes.

Famed Actress Bobbie Eakes

Eakes continued talking about her previous preparations for running the NY Marathon. “I was doing great with the training and was running up to 20-mile-long runs on the weekends when I started to feel an injury. I should have rested when I first felt it, but I didn’t want to miss any training so I kept running and made it worse,” said the actress. “Eventually, after seeing many doctors and physical therapists to no avail, I had to back out of the marathon one month prior to the big day. I was so depressed! I have, however, done one half marathon the same year, earlier in July. I did the NY Half Marathon and did quite well, I thought.”

Stitching Meraih Bintang (MeraihBintang.info) is an organization that is dedicated to building schools and orphanages in places around the world that don’t normally receive support from their governments either because they do not care or they are incapable of financing these projects. Their main short-term objective is the guarantee of financial and practical support for the 11 dependent foster children. This support will guarantee their long-term care and provide them with stability, satisfaction of basic needs and education.

Luckily for the organization, a celebrity stepped up to the plate and offered to help. Philanthropist Bobbie Eakes, who will be running a marathon in nearby Montecito to benefit this organization, made herself available to organizers. The organization’s president Anita Tax-Bax tells Canyon News, “We are so honored that Bobbie is helping us; she is always so special and generous about her time and always willing to help others.”

Bobbie reports that she’s been preparing for a while for this race. “Tommy, on Easter Sunday, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke on 'B&B') and I started planning to run a half marathon together. I looked around and chose the Montecito race because of the location and weather for the time of year we would be ready to run. Since then, Katherine has had to back out until a later time because of her busy schedule, but actress Crystal Chappell ('Venice,' 'Guiding Light,' 'Days of Our Lives') is running the race with me now. The charity opportunity came to me later when my friend, Anita Tax in the Netherlands, came up with the idea. She and her friend Anita Neele have been so good to me over the years, and I wanted to support the charity she has been working so hard for. It’s a great cause and every little bit helps.”

Bobbie tackles every challenge with all of her heart and soul. Knowing her for over two decades, I have been in awe of her acting ability on screen, and fans know of her outstanding singing career. However, I am still astounded by her commitment to physically pushing herself this way to help the kids in Indonesia and around the world, who need support. “I’m hoping I won’t be too awfully slow in this race. My training in California has been on mostly flat roads and the Montecito route has some demanding hills, but either way, I’ll finish and be proud of that. I still want to work toward a full marathon. I have my sights set on the next L.A. Marathon early in 2012. Wish me luck, Tommy. Tell your readers to do the same,” said Eakes.

Bobbie Eakes runs for the Meraih Bintang Foundation on July 16 for the Montecito Half Marathon. You can support the organization and sponsor Bobbie by going to BobbieEakes.com/run.html.

Photograph is Courtesy: ABC Studios