The Vehe's have a child who suffers from Autism and are very active in raising funds for the "Autism Speaks" organization.
Last year, they hosted a backyard drive-in movie and raised over $5,000.00 for Autism Speaks. This year the movie they chose was "Star Wars-A New Hope". Our costumed 501st members were asked to come and add a little something extra to the evenings festivities. That, and the fact that their son with Autism is simply wild about Stormtroopers.
The call went out, and we were blessed to provide this event with the following members:
DadVader- SL1781 Darth Vader
Javier - TK265 Stormtrooper
Fitz - TK6442 Stormtrooper
Joseph - TI1296 Tie Pilot
Whinter - TI3127 Tie Pilot
I (TK1951) was thrilled to be event coordinator in Stormtrooper.
We also got assistance from a couple of our local regulars:
Ed Pekin - Stormtrooper
Kevin (CplBear) as Ben Kenobi - Kevin is a Midwest Base Rebel Legion member and a Midwest Order Jedi Assembly member.
We all arrived on time and made our way to the garage to change.
Our hosts wanted a couple of Stormtroopers out to greet guests with the balance of the costumed participants hiding in the garage for the grand entrance. Our homeowners were definite Star Wars fans and have gone to most of the Celebrations (including CIV) and local Cons where Star Wars has a presence.
TK6442 and I went out front to greet guests for a couple hours. The other participants waited and chatted in the garage. Just before the big production number, TK265 and Ed Pekin joined TK6442 and I near the entrance to the garage and at the prescribed time the homeowner began his "production number". He had spliced together some dialogue from the movie along with music....so at the correct time Darth Vader and his Tie Pilots emerged from the garage followed by Kevin as Ben Kenobi.
Rich (as Vader) and Kevin as Ben Kenobi then reenacted the classic battle.
Following the grand entrance we then mingled with the crowd and posed for some photos.
Where the Vehe's didn't get the crowd that they hoped for, those who attended were over the top enthusiastic, and above all, their son with Autism had a GREAT time and for quite awhile before the event he rarely left TK6442 and my side. He was a joy to hang out with.
After our costume portion was done, we were also asked to stay for the movie. Lee had done some very creative editing of previews and a sly introduction into "A New Hope".
Most of us stayed and enjoyed nit-picking all of the continuity issues in "A New Hope" and each of us who have done the various costumes whispered some insight to the others. Every time I watch this movie, I pick up something new!
Thanks again to our troops....we had a great time!
Photos:
Schph Gochi's photos (TK1951):
http://s201.photobucket.com/albums/aa30 ... 7/?start=0
Dad Vader's (SL1781) photos:
http://s34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/ ... nd-raiser/
Whinter Fenlynn's (TI3127) photos:
http://s180.photobucket.com/albums/x273 ... Channahan/
