'Star Wars' villains join good guys to bring cheer to the Green Mountains

It's an unheard-of alliance in the "Star Wars" universe, but not so much in ours.

Some of the most sinister villains in the galaxy will be helping collect Christmas presents this year for some lucky Vermont youngsters. And the cause advanced by Darth Vader and his minions is so good, even the good guys are pitching in.

Fans of the iconic movies — along with related stories in books and video games known as the expanded universe — dress up in screen-accurate costumes and head out to entertain children and adults through a pair of related organizations. The 501st Legion is for the bad guys (the stormtroopers, Sith lords, Empire officers and other scoundrels), and the Rebel Legion has the good ones (think Jedi Knights, Rebel Alliance fighters, Wookies and more).

The groups regularly team up for fundraisers, hospital visits and other events.

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"The 501st Legion is known as 'the bad guys doing good,'" said Nicholas Norton, 30, of Burlington, leader of the group's Green Mountain Squad. "That slogan alone is what drew me in. It wasn’t just the costumes.

"Yeah, I'm pretty passionate about the costumes and these villains, but the fact that they can go out and do good things in the community is what brought me in," he added. "The fact that I could show up to a hospital, show up to a baseball game and make some kid's day for me is what it's all about."

Two of the group's biggest events occur in the next few weeks: an appearance Dec. 9 in Rutland to rally donations for the Toys Under The Tree toy drive, followed a few days later by the debut of the next film in the "Star Wars" franchise, "The Last Jedi," on Dec. 14.

Founded in 1997, the 501st Legion is an international organization that describes its mission as promoting interest in "Star Wars," facilitating the use of costumes, and making contributions through charitable efforts, appearances, an anti-bullying campaign and more.

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Founder Albin Johnson wrote in an online essay that he came up with the name because he liked how the numerical designation sounded. Monikers of the various sub-units arise from the "Star Wars" world and from ancient warrior culture, including the Romans.

The legion is the overarching organization, with garrisons, squads, detachments and outposts as you go down the line.

Vermont's Green Mountain Squad is part of the New England Garrison.

For the good guys, the Rebel Legion follows a similar structure. Vermonters fall under the Alderaan Base, which includes five New England states.

Rutland toy-drive organizers said they hope the collaboration with "Star Wars" enthusiasts will help the fundraiser have its most successful year. About 30 members of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion from across New England have signed up to participate, appearing in character, interacting with "Star Wars" fans of all ages and posing for pictures after people have dropped off their donations.

Last year the toy drive, put together by the WEXP radio station and BROC Community Action, received enough toys and cash to provide gifts for about 80 Rutland County families. This year's goal: 200 families.

"There are a lot of people who watch 'Star Wars' and really got into watching the whole gamut of all the movies that were made and are really looking forward to this new one," said Pam Shambo, director of marketing and development for BROC. "It's going to be a different kind of event than anybody's ever had around here, to bring the real-life characters to this."

Toys Under The Tree kicks off on Black Friday, with the big event scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 in the former J.C. Penney space in the Diamond Run Mall. Santa Claus will be on hand from 11 a.m. to just after noon, Shambo said.

She's already looking forward to posing for a photo with Old Saint Nick on one side and Darth Vader on the other.

Contact Adam Silverman at 802-660-1854 or asilverman@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @wej12.

How to contribute:

Toys Under The Tree needs volunteers and donations of toys and cash. Donations will be accepted during the event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Diamond Run Mall. To volunteer or make donations ahead of time, contact Pam Shambo, director of marketing and development for BROC Community Action, at 802-665-1721 or pshambo@broc.org.