June 25, 2008 - Bright lights and a Red Carpet fronted Regal Cinemas Pinnacle Stadium 18 at Turkey Creek on Tuesday. Actor Brendan Fraser, actor Josh Hutcherson, and director Eric Brevig came to Knoxville and greeted fans and introduced their film, “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” at the June 25th benefit for Variety - The Children’s Charity of Eastern Tennessee. The film officially opens in theaters on July 11th.

Mayor Haslam presented both Fraser and Hutcherson with Proclamations from the City of Knoxville declaring the day Brendan Fraser Day and Josh Hutcherson Day.

The screening raised $340,000 for Variety and of the four benefits held at the Pinnacle in the past few years, this year was the biggest money-maker, according to Dena Pinsker, Variety’s executive director.

Variety supports charities that benefit children in East Tennessee and their mission is to provide assistance to children with physical and mental disabilities in addition to helping those struggling with poverty, abuse and neglect. About one-third of the gifts here go to children with physical disabilities particularly for the purchase of mobility equipment.

Variety was founded in the 1920s when a child was abandoned in a movie theatre and the philanthropic organization has chapters in 13 countries. Regal Cinemas founded the East Tennessee Chapter in 2001 by Regal Cinemas.