[jQuery] Syntax question regarding value of currrent element being clicked.

[Pickledegg]

Heres my code:

This fires on any dropdown with the class 'ajaxdropdown': However, it
errors telling me that event.val() is not a function. How do I refer
to the current dropdown being changed, and get its value? I know $
('#idofdropdown').val() will work, but I need to use multiple
dropdowns.

$(document).ready(function(){
   $('.ajaxdropdown').change(function(event){
                $('#charges').load('/new_callchargesajax.asp?
shtech=y&c_name='+escape(event.val()));
        });
 });

Thanks.