'One Tree Hill' actors help to raise money for Wilmington Police Memorial

(Lee Norris, Austin Nichols, Sophia Bush at the Fundraiser)

'One Tree Hill' stars Sophia Bush, Lee Norris, Austin Nichols, Vaughan Wilson, and Cullen Moss were all in attendance Saturday at the 'Celebrity Autograph Fund-raiser' event in Wilmington, NC to help raise funds for an Officer Down memorial to be built in front of the Wilmington Police Department.

The cast was joined by former NFL players John Bunting, Karl Noonan, and Donnell Woolford, as well as many other athletes who were all on hand to help honor the Wilmington police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The fund-raiser, organized by the Wilmington Police Recreation Association, allowed fans to receive one autograph from each celebrity with a $20 donation towards the memorial.

(Nichols, Bush & Norris sign autographs for fans)

Lt. Kathy Cochran, the District Commander of the WPD SE Patrol Division, said she hopes the famous names will draw in enough people that they reach the event's goal of $10,000 worth of donations. She said this memorial is long overdue for the Wilmington police department.“We've lost 11 officers, two county sheriffs, we wanted a place to honor them and give their families and citizens a place to honor them and reflect on their services and lives”, said Lt. Cochran, who helped organize Saturday's fund raiser.

 Bush and Norris echoed Cochran's statement on the importance of the memorial being built. They were personally affected this year by the loss of one of the Wilmington officers. “One of our friends passed away in the line of duty....it's unbelievable that he was taken away from us”, said Norris on the loss of Officer Richard Matthews. “...to try to honor him is a big thing”.

Matthews was a part of the 'One Tree Hill' security crew, but as Bush emphasized to me, he was family to them and his sudden loss made being a part of a fund-raiser in his honor a priority for them. “It was very hard”, said Bush on the death of Matthews. “We wanted to see if we could help out”.

Nichols signs surfboard to be shrined at the WPD

Wilson agrees with his co-stars on the efforts to honor Matthews and all Wilmington police. “Everyday they're putting their lives on the line for us....as soon I heard about this, I immediately told them to sign me up. I wanted to be a part of something of this magnitude”, said Wilson.

The 'One Tree Hill' cast is certainly not new to volunteering around the city of Wilmington, where they have been filming since 2003.

They have held charity basketball and football games where ticket proceeds have gone to local and national charities and organizations, including St.Judes Children's Research Hospital.

Last year Bush volunteered with Surfriders Foundation to help clean the beaches near Wilmington.

It is safe to say the Wilmington Police Recreation Association was thrilled to have the cast be a part of the fund-raiser as fans of all ages came from all over the country and lined up for hours just for a chance to meet their favorites from the popular CW network drama.

One fan donated $400 to have 20 pictures signed by Bush.

“We try to help out the town as much as we can”, said Norris. “It's our home”.

And their home it continues to be; Norris, Bush, and Nichols are currently working on the seventh season of 'One Tree Hill' which premieres Sept. 14 at 8pm on the CW.

All photos are property of the author.