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Liam Hemsworth Visits Teens at Twilight-Topping Charity Screening of Catching Fire—Get the Exclusive Details!

Actor makes a stop in Knoxville, Tenn., during his film's world tour to spend time with some fans.

By Bruna Nessif, Senta Scarborough Nov 23, 2013 12:16 AMTags
Liam Hesworth, KnoxvilleCourtesy of Neil Crosby

As if we needed another reason to swoon over Liam Hemsworth.

The handsome Hunger Games star attended the Catching Fire premiere at the Regal Pinnacle 18 Cinema in Knoxville, Tenn., on Tuesday to pay a visit to a few teens with special needs who are part of Variety—The Children's Charity of East Tennessee.

But not only did Hemsworth bring smiles to many faces, he, along with director Francis Lawrence, helped raise over $500,000 for a good cause.

"The benefit premiere helped raise a record-breaking $558,000. It beat the former record that Twilight premiere raised of $470,000 when Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart attended in 2009," Carol Fusco, executive director of the charity, tells E! News, adding that the majority of the money was raised through corporate sponsorships.

Courtesy of Neil Crosby

"The funds will go to agencies in East Tennessee such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Second Harvest food bank, and Emerald Youth Foundation Just Lead program and to purchase mobility equipment for special needs kids. It all goes to at risk children and children with special needs," Fusco said.
 
Two special needs children got to meet Hemsworth on Tuesday night—Lauren Rosasco, 15, who is a paraplegic, and Fanny Blevins, 19, who is developmentally delayed. Blevins was the inspiration behind creating Variety.

Courtesy of Neil Crosby

"Liam bent down to talk to Lauren. She was really excited. He asked her how she was doing and took time to talk with her," Fusco told us. "They were smiling and she was giggling. Liam gave her a hug. Her parents said it made her year. It made her so happy. It was very special because she doesn't get to go out very much."
 
The Aussie hunk also got the honor of joining the Knoxville version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was presented with a "Walking Stone" which will be placed in front of Regal Pinnacle Cinema to show he attended a premiere there.

Hemsworth joins 15 other celebrities that have their own stone, including Jessica Simpson, Will Farrell, Johnny Knoxville and Taylor Lautner.