Local "Twilight" actors Catherine Grimme ("Young Bella") and Ayanna Berkshire
("Cora, the waitress") spent some time ringing bells for the Salvation Army in downtown
Portland, Oregon during Celebrity Bell Ringing on Dec. 16, 2009. Photo: Sara Gundell
Two local stars of the hit movie “Twilight” – based on Stephenie Meyer’s best-selling book – braved the wind, the rain and the cold of Downtown Portland this week, all without a complaint, and all in the name of a good cause.
Ayanna Berkshire (“Cora,” the waitress) and 8-year-old Catherine Grimme (“Young Bella”) rang bells and helped collect donations for the Salvation Army on Wednesday, December 16th as part of the organization’s annual Celebrity Bell Ringing.
The tradition of ringing bells to collect donations in the Salvation Army’s red kettles is long-standing (it first began in 1891), and Celebrity Bell Ringing gives famous faces a chance to help draw in some extra donations for the organization.
In Portland, the celebrities this year included Berkshire and Grimme – along with local TV and radio personalities, members of the Portland Fire Bureau and Portland Police Department, local athletes and reality TV star Amy Roloff (from TLC’s “Little People, Big World”).
When given the opportunity to participate this year, Berkshire and Grimme (and Grimme’s mom) jumped at the chance to give back.
“For us to be local celebrities, what do you get to do with that?” Berkshire said. “This was an amazing opportunity to help support Salvation Army, which is a great cause, keeping people warm, fed, you know, presents under their trees. Really, especially this time of year it’s important.”
Grimme, who admits getting out of school was a small motivating factor, says the best part for her was just getting to help others. And at only 8-years-old, her generosity is endearingly genuine.
“Just to do things for other people,” Grimme said. “I really enjoy helping out.”
Berkshire and Grimme were not shy about seeking out donations – and their enthusiasm seemed to pay off. A steady stream of people stopped by to add their donations to the red kettle Berkshire and Grimme were helping man, alongside personalities from local radio and TV stations.
During the hectic bell ringing, Berkshire and Grimme also took some time to chat about working on “Twilight,” and the upcoming movie “Extraordinary Measures.”
“It’s been a huge adjustment,” Berkshire said, when asked about the phenomenal global success of the “Twilight” franchise.
When the first movie was being filmed in Portland, it had a relative small following. The fan base has since grown exponentially worldwide – and to this day, fans continue to embrace all members of the “Twilight” family – Berkshire and Grimme included.
“The ‘Twilight’ fans and ‘Twilight’ world have been so supportive of us,” Berkshire said, “and I think everyone involved has been so incredibly thankful.”
Grimme is equally enthusiastic about her work on “Twilight” – and is still talking about all the people she’s met, including the actors she played baseball with at the Vampire Baseball event at PGE Park back in July. “It was amazing,” she said, of the entire “Twilight” process.
Grimme was also exuberant about the work she did as a double on “Extraordinary Measures.”
“I really liked getting to see the whole process,” she said. “Because I was a stand-in, I was there all the time.”
Berkshire also has a role in the upcoming drama, which stars Brendan Fraser as the father of two children with a rare genetic disorder – who risks it all to find a cure with the help of a researcher, played by Harrison Ford. Based on the true story of John and Aileen Crowley, the movie was filmed in and around Portland earlier this year and hits theaters next month.
“It’s an incredibly touching, moving story, but it’s true,” Berkshire said. “It’s really a moving story.”
You can view the full interviews with Berkshire and Grimme over at Novel Novice Twilight – where they talk more about “Twilight,” “Extraordinary Measures,” and the Salvation Army. They also discuss their favorite books – and Berkshire clears up some rumors about a relationship involving Robert Pattinson.
You can also see more photos from Berkshire and Grimme at Celebrity Bell Ringing in the slideshow below.
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