LAPUSH — Actress Julia Jones — the female werewolf Leah Clearwater in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” — will help raise money for the Quileute tribe’s annual Cherish Our Children fundraiser Friday.
Jones, who is making the appearance on the night of the release of the “Eclipse” DVD, will sign autographs for a fee to raise money for the charity, said tribal spokeswoman Jackie Jacobs.
Cherish Our Children, an auction to raise money to buy holiday gifts for needy children, starts at 5 p.m., and Jones will sign autographs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the A-ka-lat center in LaPush.
The charity divides money between the Quileute Housing Authority and Forks Santa’s Workshop, which both give presents to children in need.
“We are thrilled that Julia Jones is joining us for the Cherish our Children event this year,” the Quileute Tribal Council said in a statement.
“During this season of giving, she exemplifies the meaning of giving back, and we give thanks for her generosity . . . Quileute Tribal Council thanks Summit Entertainment and Julia Jones for truly making this a cherished ‘Twilight’ event,” the council said.
Jones, who is part Chickasaw and Choctaw, plays the character Leah Clearwater in “Eclipse,” which was released in June.
Eclipse is the third novel in Stephenie Meyer’s four-part series about teen love and vampires set in Forks.
It was preceded by Twilight and New Moon and followed by Breaking Dawn.
Clearwater is the sole female member of the Quileute “wolf pack” in a group of Quileute teens who morph into werewolves when vampires encroach on their territory.
Clearwater is also an emotional example of “imprinting” when werewolves find their soulmates.
Her boyfriend, Sam, becomes a werewolf — and leader of the pack — and leaves her for another woman named Emily when he imprints on Emily instead of Leah.
Jones will play the role also in both parts of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn,” which are due out in November 2011 and November 2012.
On Friday, Jones will sign 8-inch-by-10-inch photographs, as well as a limited number of DVDs of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,” which will be released at the event — a few hours before its midnight release in the rest of the area.
The prices are:
• Autographed photo — $40.
• Autographed photo as well as a photo with Jones on a personal camera — $50.
• Personal camera photo with Jones — $30.
• Autograph on items purchased at the event (no outside items allowed) — $25.
• “Eclipse” DVD autographed by Jones (only 40 available) — $75.
• Personal camera photo and autographed “Eclipse” DVD — $100.
No personal photos will be allowed without payment because it is a fundraiser, Jacobs said.
Other Twilight items
Other Twilight-related items, as well as art by Quileute tribal members, will be available at the auction.
“I am so thrilled for the kids and the ‘Twilight’ fans,” Jacobs said.
“This visit encapsulates all the joy, wonder, excitement, anticipation and magic that this time of year represents.”
Cherish Our Children is a live and silent auction with items ranging from fishing trips to toys to gift items.
A special table is even set up with kids-only bidding.
“This year, we are hoping to hit the $12,000 mark,” said Sandy Heinrich, one of the event organizers.
Last year, the event raised a record $11,000.
“The autographs by the actress will certainly help us reach our goal,” Heinrich said.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladaily news.com.
