Halloween Day at a Children's Hospital. Should anything more be said? Well, apparently so since no one was available to troop this most worthy event only a few days beforehand. After the interest thread was bumped, I figured I'd better step up and volunteer. We had our own plans for Halloween, like most everyone else, but these kids needed to be cheered up big time. Still I didn't want to be the only one there so I asked if there was anyone else that could donate some time for these kids, and Charles thankfully said he would come.
The hospital planned a whole Halloween Festival with pumpkin decorating, face painting and trick-or-treating. Charles and I were set up as one of the trick-or-treat stations in the hospital lobby. We handed out stormtrooper trading cards and 501st temporary tatoos (no sugary treats allowed!)
And, of course, we posed for lots of pictures. It was a great day to see a smile on the face of a child who might not have had something to smile about for quite some time. It's these types of events that really bring it all into prespective as to why we are a part of the 501st. Sure the Conventions and Car Shows and whatnot are fun, but these kids have much mores serious issues to contend with. And it's up to us to put ourselves and our own plans aside and do what we can, when we can to brighten their days.
We have no photos from this event since it was only the 2 of us trooping.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
October 31, 2009 - Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
October 17, 2009 - Dog Day Afternoon
We woke up to one of the coldest days I can remember here in Georgia. Cold, wet and rainy. And today's troops was going to be outdoors! We were off to Hard Labor Creek State Park in eastern Georgia for Dog Day Afternoon.
We signed up right away for this event when we heard about it. We are big animal lovers and any event where we could lend our support for the health and well being of animals is for us. It's was such a shame that the weather had to be so bad. Those dogs needed the donations and adoptions and the weather just kept most folks away.
But, we did our best for the folks who did decide to brave the biting cold and rain. First up, we judged the musical sit competition, a doggie version of musical chairs. Then we had some great BBQ for lunch. After lunch it was time to judge the costume contest. First was the doggie Star Wars costume contest. There were 2 entries and they both were excellent. We had a Darth Vader and an Ewok. We had to give the prize to the Ewok since it was so creative. Then we judged the regular costumes and again we had 2 entries. An excellent cowboy costume complete with a little rider and a squirrel costume. They both we so great and again it was extremely tough to single one out over the other. But ultimately we gave it to the squirrel costume.
Hopefully, if they have an event like this again, the weather will cooperate. We will be there again no matter what.
October 10, 2009 - Pottery Barn Kids
October 10th was a big day for the GA 501st Garrison, and maybe the biggest we've ever had. One day, 5 separate trooping events! (And there was a sixth event that was scheduled but postponed due to the weather.)
To do my part I signed on for the Pottery Barn Kids event at Lenox Mall in Atlanta. Pottery Barn Kids has a line of Star Wars themed bed linens and room decor that is a retro throwback to the sheets we had as kids in the 70's.
The parents and kids were lined up outside the store before it opened while we were getting ready to greet them. We were set up in a nice big bedroom display and the groups of kids were brought in about 10 at a time to meet and take pictures with us.
Afterward, we did a little shopping and of course, we fought over which one of us got the top bunk! 
Thanks once again to PBK for having us. We had a great time!
