The Northern Illinois Lego Train Builders Club, Cantigny Park, Lego accessories suppliers, and the United States Marines once again accompanied the Midwest Garrison on a snowy but beautiful weekend in December to support the Toys for Tots program.
Although admission was free, if anyone brought an unwrapped toy to donate, their parking fee was waved. The donation boxes needed emptying several times throughout the day.
The main attraction was the Lego train displays. These people have imagination beyond belief. They create displays and dioramas spanning several hundred square feet.
This is a must see for any Lego fan. Lego fans by the hundreds came to Cantigny to marvel at the displays but received a pleasant surprise by the presence of their favorite Star Wars characters. 
A few people became overwhelmed by the excitement and needed to be "managed" by the Imperial patrol
All that work gives even the seasoned trooper an appetite. Cantigny staff were more than willing to "DONATE" cookies to the cause. 
RFT Schulte didn't take too kindly to this act and did some influencing of her own. 
On Saturday, many braved the snow to venture out. A few troopers wanted to enjoy Cantigny from the outside but needed to know where to go. They sure didn't get any help from these guys.
To a desert born Tusken Raider, the snow is very interesting stuff. Unlike sand, you can form this into your own likeness.
Troopers Whitaker and Werner kept watch to make sure the wily Tusken didn't get out of hand.
The "Tusken angel" is becoming a winter staple 
The REAL hero out of all this was Unites States Marine Corps Representative Javier Martinez
It was an honor to serve beside this American hero collecting donations for Toys for Tots
Marine Rep Martinez also presented our Garrison Commanding Officer Brian Troyan with a plaque which thanked the Midwest Garrison/501st Legion for their participation.
Despite the snow and cold temperatures, it was a successful, two day mission. I would say that we "ROCKED" this one!!!!!
Did future trooper Troyan agree?
Attending troopers: Please record T.O.D. as two separate troops.
Attending troopers for Saturday, December14, 2013
Eric Werner TK 41551 Stormtrooper
Cheryl Whitaker TB 3127 Biker Scout
Shannon Buetsch BH 82371 Boushh
Kim Worley DZ 12108 Tusken Raider
Steve Gaza TK 4034 Stormtrooper
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Eric Werner TK 41551 Stormtrooper
Phyllis Schulte 1951 Rebel Fleet Trooper
Bob Walton TK 1216 Sandtrooper
Patrick Lewis TK 52809 Stormtrooper
Kim Worley DZ 12108 Tusken Raider
Neil Auer TK 3446 Imperial Gunner
Kevin "Doughboy" Skiera TK 9336 Stormtrooper
GCO Brian Troyan DZ 8969 Tusken Raider
Alex Troyan TK????? Mini trooper
Matt McDonald TK 8148 Stormtrooper
Jessica Hudak ID 8238 Biker Scout
Steve Mammen 7345 X-wing pilot
Steve Gaza TK 4034 Stormtrooper
