Valley ‘Star Wars’ costume groups have fun for charity

“Stars Wars” fans searched their feelings and used The Force for good Saturday afternoon in Modesto.

The Central California Garrison of the 501st Legion and other area costuming organizations capped off a three-day frenzy of premiere-related appearances with a charity event. The groups came out in force at Brenden Theatres for a benefit to help the Children’s Crisis Center of Stanislaus County.

Members of the Central California Garrison, who dress largely as Imperial Stormtroopers and other villainous characters from the “Star Wars” franchise, make more than 75 appearances each year at events across the area. Organizers said after attending various “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” premieres in the Modesto, Sacramento and Fresno areas this week, they wanted to close their celebration out with something to help the community.

“We like to say we’re bad guys doing good,” said Garrison member and event organizer Marie Gwin, whose husband dresses as Darth Vader. “It’s about having fun and promoting the films for the community. The charity aspect is a large part of it.”

Fans and curious passers-by were invited to Blast-a-Trooper with Nerf guns with all the proceeds going to the Children’s Crisis Center. Modesto-Con, a new pop culture convention to be held in town this summer, also had a table and was offering face painting as “Star Wars” characters, photos superimposed with movie backdrops and more. Oakdale-based SpecOps Live Play had a laser tag area set up. A portion of the fees for those activities also went to the center.

Vanessa Del Toro, with the Children’s Crisis Center, said the nonprofit organization was thrilled to be part of the “Star Wars” festivities. The group provides child care, crisis counseling and more 24 hours a day to some 140 families in the county.

“It’s exciting to see how many people want to play the (Blast-a-Trooper) game – not just because of ‘Star Wars,’ but also because it’s for a good cause,” Del Toro said. “It’s great to see people who want to help like that.”

Manteca father and “Star Wars” fan Refugio Solorio brought his two girls specifically to see the film in Modesto because of the charity celebration Saturday afternoon. His daughters, 7-year-old Jiana and 4-year-old Noemi, were dressed as their favorite characters – Princess Leia and Han Solo, respectively – while he wore a Wookiee onesie.

“This allows us to bond and have something we can all enjoy,” Solorio said about the films. “It’s unique to have father-daughters relationships where we can have this as something in common. I’m just stoked to share this with them.”

About 50 members of the Central California Garrison, Rebel Legion, Mandalorian Mercs and Central Valley Costumers came out in their self-made “Star Wars” outfits for the event. Stockton resident Daniel Delacruz, dressed as one of the new First Order Stormtroopers, was one of the few in an officially licensed look from the new seventh installment of the series. He said events such as the one outside Brenden, where fans young and old eagerly posed with all the characters roaming around, are why he joined the group.

“I love it because I love bringing smiles to the children. This is probably what Mickey Mouse feels like at Disneyland,” he said. “We’re the biggest kids ourselves, so to bring happiness from this makes it all worth it.”

This story was originally published December 19, 2015 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Valley ‘Star Wars’ costume groups have fun for charity."