Stormtroopers as diverse as they are charitable

Make-A-Wish Foundation Event on April 28, 2007 for Joshua Foley

Photo courtesy of the 501^st Legion: Vader’s Fist

When you attend multiple comic/pop-culture conventions every year like I do, you can't help but notice all the great Star Wars costumes.  Many of them are sanctioned 501st members, and they're all really great people.

The following is a reproduction of an article I wrote for my journalism class, which focuses on the diversity of this charitable organization.

Special thanks to Fluffy and Mr. McPherson for agreeing to be interviewed.

The 501^st Legion: Vader’s Fist is perhaps one of the lesser known (and quirkier) charitable organizations, requiring its members to dress up in professional grade Star Wars costumes for their events.

“To be honest, there’s a lot of fun in it, but I do it for the voluntary work we do.  I like that kind of thing.  Making kids smile is one of the ultimate things we can do,” said 501^st member Loujaue McPherson, 46, proud father of four.

From visiting children’s hospitals to attending events like Make-A-Wish or various walks for diseases, the 501^st are there to entertain the people and provide support for the cause.  Primarily, the members of the 501^st will parade, mingle, have their pictures taken with fans, and lend a hand with ceremonies.

“I remember one time I walked around the corner [in my Darth Vader costume], and there were a bunch of kids with dollar store lightsabers, so I pulled mine out and they came right at me, and we fought for a little while.  There were more lightsabers than kids, so they kept switching out.  We all had a lot of fun.  For us, making kids smile is one of the ultimate things we can do,” said McPherson.

“The core of the 501^st is a love of Star Wars that transcends age, race, gender, religion, politics.  It’s a story that everyone – no matter what they believe – can relate to.  People from all facets of life come together to use that mutual love to reach out to the community,” said Tony ‘Fluffy’ Piccolo, who joined the 501^st when he was 18 (the minimum age to become a member).

Piccolo was the Event Coordinator in WV, DE and PA for two years, and Captain of the Guard in the same tri-state area for one year.

“The Captain of the Guard position is important because we’re a pretty diverse group, full of all ages, races and backgrounds.  It really brings people from all walks together.  Of course, as with any group, the more diverse it is, the more opinions differ.  My job [as the Captain of the Guard] is to keep the peace and act as mediator for the members in my chapter,” said Piccolo, age 23.

The original trilogy features – almost exclusively – male Caucasian characters.  Princess Leia Organa and an obscure Rebel commander are two of the only females featured in the entire original trilogy.

Piccolo estimated that approximately “1 in every 6 Stormtroopers is actually a woman under the helmet.  In the new trilogy you’ll actually see greater racial diversity and a lot more women, including female Jedi.  It’s definitely much more diverse.  My personal opinion is that a) they learned that the first trilogy appeals to a wider range of people than just 10-14 year old boys; and b) the world is much more politically correct now.”

Although they may not have a galaxy-wide reach, the 501^st does have a strong presence in North and South America, Europe and Asia.  They have garrisons (25+ members) in all 50 states and more than 20 countries, and a presence in over 250 countries.

To learn more about the 501^st Legion: Vader’s Fist and their work, visit their online headquarters at www.501st.com or watch the documentary, Heart of an Empire.