This year Daniel Wallace, the author of many “Essential Guides” to the Star Wars universe, including the New York Times bestselling Star Wars: Battles for the Galaxy and Star Wars Year by Year: A Visual Chronicle and Michael Stackpole author of The New Jedi Order – Dark Tide I & II plus members of the Dune Sea Garrison and the R2 Builders invaded Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ on April 21, 2012 to support DK Books Attack of the Authors Tour. Attendees were able to chat with the authors about their books and what inspired them to start writing plus win prizes from an impromptu trivia game!

An excerpt from an April 10th press release “DK Publishing announced today a $95,000 children’s book donation on behalf of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion, two all-volunteer organizations of Star Wars(TM) costume enthusiasts who raise money for children’s charities all over the world. The donation, a record-breaking amount for DK, was made to The Today Show Charitable Foundation, Inc., who dispersed over 7,000 new, full-color reference books to The Pajama Program for distribution to children across the country.” You can read the entire article here.

Many thanks to all that attended and made this such a successful event!

Members of the Dune Sea Garrison, Mandalorian Mercs – Shonare Vhekadla Clan and the R2 Builders attended the midnight release of the Star Wars KINECT game at the local Microsoft Store in Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Attendees were able to get photos with their favorite “bad guy” character and even demo the game in the store! Raffle prizes were available for everyone that participated.

As a bonus, Microsoft donated over $8,000 in the name of the 501^st Legion to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to further their mission.

A huge thank you to all that attended!

This is the Second Annual Love Walk but the first year that the Dune Sea Garrison has participated.  Members of the DSG took pictures with the event participants and provided encouragement along the 1.5 mile route.  The event raised $3,460 for these organizations.

The Peter Mayhew Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to the alleviation of disease, pain, and suffering by providing its available resources directly to deserving children and adults in need. The Foundation will also assist other charitable programs that are not funded by the community.

The Peter Mayhew Foundation has had opportunities to work with other charitable organizations such as the “Make a Wish Foundation” and “Wounded Warriors”. It is for the purpose of providing supportive funds, services and supplies to the needs of Non Profits and other individuals that we move forward, The Wookiee Way.

Examples of the types of endeavors which we would sponsor: Many times the Make a Wish Foundation selects a terminally ill child to make a visit to places such as Disneyland. Unfortunately, many charitable organizations are underfunded and stressed to the limits to help beneficiaries such as these and their funds are limited so the trip includes only travel, accommodations and entrance fees to the awarded locales. The Peter Mayhew Foundation would like to step in and provide items such as meals and refreshments for the people to allow for an even more memorable trip.

Another example would be the 501st. The 501st is a volunteer group based on the “Darth Vader’s Storm Troopers” from the “Star Wars” movie series. These people are often involved in community activities such as parades. Because of the recognition of the “Star Wars” aspect of this group, both adults and children are thrilled by their appearances in these activities. The people wearing these costumes come from all over the world to be a member of the “501st” and perform at these activities.

The Peter Mayhew Foundation has determined that there is a need for additional support to assist with activities such as changing into and out of their costumes for performances by providing enclosed and secure facilities for their belongings.

Please visit http://www.petermayhewfoundation.org/for additional information.