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Archive for ‘charity’

Darth Vader Gives Blood

November 12, 2009

Darth Vader might like to end board meetings with a Force choke or two, so when he cares about something enough he’s bound to spill some blood, even if it’s his own. Luckily, in this case it was all for a good cause.

Adam Lochowicz and 10 other 501st Legion members of the Red Back Squad in Queensland dressed as Darth Vader, stormtroopers, a sand trooper and other evil characters from Star Wars to give blood at the Robina blood bank.

Northern Star reports:

Lochowicz said he gave a regular blood donation at the Southport blood bank recently and asked if he could bring some storm trooper friends to the Robina bank for a mass donation.

“There were 11 walk-in donations because we were there so it turned out well,” he said. “It would be good to have a national day where all storm troopers in Australia went out in force and donated blood on the same day.”

Read the full article here:
Troopers storm blood bank (via Northernstar.com.au)

Learn more about the Terror Australis Garrison.

8 Comments » | The 501st Legion, charity, in the media | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Star Wars Medallions Help Wounded Soldiers

October 13, 2009

medallion

The Pennsylvania Star Wars Collecting Society is currently hosting a charity fundraiser for Operation Ward 57, a medical center which houses some of the most seriously injured service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The PSWCS has created a limited edition Star Wars medallion to help raise funds for Operation Ward 57, and has already sold through nearly 90% of the 1000-piece run. Here’s the description of the medallions from the PSWCS site:

These medallions were inspired by the concept of “challenge coins” which are popular among military personnel. Given Operation Ward 57’s efforts for wounded service members, PSWCS felt it to be a distinctly appropriate collectible to offer to support the charity.

This will be a 1.75-inch diameter medallion with colored enamel on both faces.

Head on over to www.pswcs.com to pick up some of the last remaining medallions available, which cost just $10 each.

1 Comment » | Collecting, charity | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

Charity Auction for Ailing Author John Ostrander

September 1, 2009

Beloved Star Wars comics author John Ostrander has been battling glaucoma and like many Americans, has extremely expensive health insurance, which result in costly operations to help him recover his eyesight. So his fans are taking it upon themselves to help raise money with a truly unique auction.

Daily Record reports:

A nonprofit organization, Comix4Sight, was created by Ostrander’s friend and sometime-editor, Mike Gold, to accept donations online. High-profile comic book fans — including New Jersey filmmaker Kevin Smith and actor Patton Oswalt — are among those who gave money and are encouraging others to donate.

In addition, comic book artists have donated more than 100 drawings that are being auctioned, with the proceeds going to the organization.

Gold notes that many of these works were drawn specifically for this occasion. He cited the example of a drawing of Batman and Hawkman (both characters Ostrander has written in the past) done by Joe Kubert, the legendary writer-artist who founded the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Arts in Dover, and his son Andy Kubert, also an acclaimed artist. Other contributors have included Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons.

Read more about
Everyday heroes help comic book writer (via Daily Record)

Get more info on what you can do to help here:
Comix4Sight

No Comments » | charity, comics | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Cow Trooper!

August 24, 2009

The 501st Legion’s Noel Green (TK-8541) is very close to winning the top spot in the Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day contest on Facebook!

In true Star Wars fan fashion, Noel has pledged to donate the potential grand prize (a year’s worth of meals) to his local food bank in New Mexico, but he can’t do it without the support of fellow Star Wars fans everywhere.

DAILY VOTES are now critical with voting ending in just a few days on August 31st!

Once per day, go to the following link, then click ‘Vote’ and then click ‘Highest Rated’ and you’ll see the black and white Cow Trooper among the top contestants!

3 Comments » | The 501st Legion, charity, fan fun | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Comic-Con 2009: The Empire Muggs Back

July 29, 2009

Words/Photos: Bonnie Burton

If you were at San Diego Comic-Con International this year then you may have spotted our display cases featuring customized Star Wars Mighty Mugg art pieces for The Empire Muggs Back — a charity art show to raise money for Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The cases showed off Mighty Muggs from toy designers, graffiti artists, tattoo artists, comic book artists, Star Wars artists, Robot Chicken model makers, puppeteers, and artists, and even a few celebrities like Clone Wars director Dave Filoni, Fanboys director Kyle Newman, actress Jaime King, and The Go-Go’s Jane Wiedlin.

In addition to checking out the display, fans were able to pick up info cards and limited-edition pins (a different pin passed out each day of Comic-Con). All participating artists get pins and an Empire Muggs Back t-shirt.

Here’s some photos of The Empire Muggs Back at Comic-Con:

(The Clone Wars director Dave Filoni poses with his Aurra Sing and Cad Bane Mighty Muggs.)

(Robot Chicken and Shadow Machine’s Rebecca Van Cleve poses with her Ackbar cereal art.)

(more…)

3 Comments » | Collecting, Comic-Con, Robot Chicken, Star Wars Art, charity | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Stormtroopers to Invade Roller Derby!

May 27, 2009

Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis are like the Empire and Rebellion in Indiana when it comes to roller derby teams, so it seemed only fitting to have the 501st and Rebel Legion come along for Cyclone Wars!

Rebel Legion Commanding Officer Matthew W. Hofmann reports:

About 30 costumed characters from the Rebel Legion and 501st will be at this event, including Darth Vader, Chewbacca, the Fetts, and R2-D2 along with all your favorite armored or lightsaber-wielding friends. They’ll also be having a Jail and Bail to benefit Girls Inc. of Indianapolis and a halftime target practice show featuring the Rebel Legion teaching future members of the Rebellion how to shoot TKs with dart guns for fun and fabulous Star Wars and Naptown Roller Girls prizes!

It’s this Saturday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Get ticket info here. Tickets will remain on sale until midnight, Friday, May 29. Doors open at 5 pm, and the double header begins at about 5:30 pm.

May the Force be with your roller skates!

6 Comments » | The 501st Legion, charity, events | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

SW Auction to Aid Aussie Bush Fire Victims

April 14, 2009

Star Wars fans in Australia have banded together to help victims of recent bush fires that ravaged the state of Victoria, posting several eBay auctions of items donated by actors from the saga, Lucasfilm, and others.

From the Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009 website:

On February 7th 2009, the state of Victoria in Australia was ravaged by Bushfires.

These wildfires destroyed thousands upon thousands of hectares of native forests and laid waste to many townships.

Over 2000 homes were destroyed and over 7000 people were left homeless by these fires which burned out of control for many weeks. Over 200 people were reported to have lost their lives in what was to become known as Australia’s worst natural disaster.

The people of Australia however were not beaten by these events and they rallied together as one to help those in need. Countless donations of clothes and food flooded into relief centers and thousands of volunteers lined up to help. People donated their time, their homes and opened their hearts to help those effected by the fires.

Head over to the charity’s official website for more details, and also don’t miss the over two-dozen signed items currently up for bids from Dave Prowse, Kenny Baker, Jeremy Bulloch, Bonnie Piesse, and others!

5 Comments » | Celebrities, Collecting, Lucasfilm, charity | Permalink
Posted by pvilmur

Aaron Allston in the Hospital

April 3, 2009

We just heard word today that Del Rey Outcast author Aaron Allston underwent bypass surgery yesterday, and is currently in recovery in the hospital.

Aaron’s family has set up a blood donation sponsorship. If anyone in the Dallas area would like to donate blood, you can go to the National Blood Exchange or Carter BloodCare. Say that you are donating blood for Aaron Allston, patient of Carter Blood Care in Bedford, TX, and give his sponsor number: SPON 047786.

Please send any cards to:
(But please DO NOT send any perishable items or flowers)

Aaron Allston
c/o Del Rey Books
1745 Broadway
New York, NY 10019

As soon as we get more information we’ll update this story.
We all wish Aaron Allston well and hope he recovers quickly.

—————
UPDATE: For the latest on Aaron’s recovery, please check out this Livejournal Blog: Aaron Allston Info

12 Comments » | Publishing, charity | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Lift the Falcon and R2-D2 with Your Beard?

February 13, 2009

Sure you can pick up your Millennium Falcon and R2-D2 models with ease, but can your beard pick them both up all by itself? Yeah, we didn’t think so. But Eamon Daly can, and he’s doing it for a good cause.

My name is Eamon Daly. I’ve been growing my beard since August of 2008 and only recently came to appreciate its amazing power: the power to lift heavy objects…and the human spirit. Help my beard help Chicago’s Off the Street Club as we start an incredible journey together to discover the Things My Beard Can Lift!

Lift 1 is in the can! For my seven pound object, I lifted a Millennium Falcon model and an iron R2-D2 sculpture, graciously provided by fellow beard-wearer Brad Priller and originally suggested by Liam and Paddy May.

No Comments » | charity, fan fun | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl

Star Wars Hockey Jersey for Charity

February 13, 2009

PORT HURON, MI – “May the Force be with you” on Saturday, Feb. 28 when the Port Huron Icehawks hold their second annual Star Wars Night at McMorran Arena. Tickets are just $5 for kids 14-and-under and seniors 62-and-over.

Characters from the classic Star Wars films will descend on the rink as the Icehawks take on the Bloomington PrairieThunder at 7:30 p.m. Meet over a dozen characters from the 501st and Rebel Legions and get your photo taken in front of a Death Star backdrop. You can also test your skills at the Blaster Range, see a Sandtrooper on skates and watch to see which character drops the ceremonial first puck.

The players will also wear specialty Star Wars jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game in a live, on-ice auction. Don’t miss your chance to own this one-of-a-kind piece of Icehawks/Star Wars memorabilia. Proceeds benefit the Cherry Beach Council on Aging.

“Star Wars Night is a unique and fun night out. Bring the whole family to enjoy some quality hockey and see characters from the popular films up close,” Icehawks Game Day and Community Relations Coordinator Kelly Carroll said. “We have discounted our tickets for this special night so that it is affordable for the entire family.”

Tickets for Star Wars Night and all Icehawks home games are available now at the Icehawks office, McMorran Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations and www.ticketmaster.com. The discounted tickets for kids and seniors can be purchased day of game only. For more information call 810-966-3800.

Get more info here.

2 Comments » | The 501st Legion, charity | Permalink
Posted by bonniegrrl