Making “The Force” Come Alive
Lake County Residents become Living Action Figures on Weekends
Written by Blair Townley
The peculiar expressions. The quiet snickering. The questions of “why do you dress like that?”
It’s the typical responses Randy Herman of Clermont and Todd Erdman of Leesburg expect when they step out in costume with their families for community events around Central Florida.
The reason being is that they are dressed up as characters from the beloved sci-fi classic “Star Wars,” as part of the 4,000 members of the internationally-known 501st Legion.
Apart from the strange looks, the reactions they really hope to achieve are enjoyment and happiness from children at the area hospitals, charity events and festivals they appear at.
“We do this for fun but a lot of what we do is centered around charity,” Todd says. “I’m making a mark on the world through my love for something. Through that love, I’m able to reach out to people who can’t otherwise help themselves.”
Having appeared at everything from the Leukemia Lymphoma Society to the recent No Duck Left Behind event in Leesburg, Randy and Todd believe the love of a movie brings the ability to help others forget their troubles.
It Started with a Galaxy
Randy and Todd first joined the Florida Garrison unit of the 501st Legion after learning about the organization from current members and are part of the Makaze squad of members.
The legion, created by fans of the franchise, requires those interested in joining to have a “screen accurate” Imperial costume to register and take part in events with members.
Randy decided to join after purchasing a Darth Vader costume to wear for his son Tyler’s birthday party. He got the push to add to the authenticity of his Darth Vader costume after attending a 501st event in Massachusetts.
“I went there [to the event] and talked with a bunch of guys and saw them interacting with the fans and I thought, ‘okay, this is what I want to do,’” recalls Randy, who has also appeared as a Storm Trooper for some 501st events.
A job transfer move to Clermont in 2008 brought Randy, Amy and their children closer to the action of the Florida Garrison unit of the 501st Legion, where they later met Todd and Shannon.
“It’s really a great group and I don’t care where you have been a member of the group, everywhere you go there are good people there,” Amy says.
A longtime fan of the movie series, Todd met 501st Legion members at Disney Star Wars Weekends and was impressed, as was Randy, with the community involvement the members displayed.
“I knew they did a lot for the community and I’ve always wanted to get involved in something like that,” Todd says.
Creating Smiles
The two, with their wives in tow as “wranglers” for crowd control, began participating in charity events with other members and were later joined by Amy dressed as a Snow Trooper and Shannon as a Imperial officer. Together they found the true purpose for being in the 501st Legion.
Besides movie-themed events, the unit was also making frequent trips to the Florida Hospital in Orlando as well as participating in many fundraisers around Lake County, bringing smiles to children and adults.
“The reaction is absolute awe. Their jaws drop, even some of the parents. They say ‘that’s so cool.’”
Todd, Shannon and Amy say in unison.
The couples themselves have also been in awe after meeting children who have experience hardship in their lives but seem to forget about their circumstances after seeing the group arrive.
One example was at the recent No Duck Left Behind event, where over $200 was raised for Umatilla Middle School from photo donations. The true reward was when the couples watched as a blind boy touch Randy’s mask and lit up with excitement over recognizing Darth Vader.
“You have to get out of character sometimes,” says Randy, who also recalls an “impromptu” hug he gave a 12-year-old girl who thanked him for coming to a Juvenile Diabetes event.
Randy and Amy also see the positive effects their 501st involvement has had on their son Tyler, especially at one fundraiser event for a young child hurt in a boating accident.
“It was a child the same age as him and that really hit home for Tyler,” Amy remembers. “Tyler understands what we do and he knows that when we go do [events] that he is doing things for charity, he’s doing things to help other people.”
The two couples plan to continue bringing joy to fans of all ages into the future and are currently pursuing the goal of having attended 100 events in costume before year’s end.
Even if they don’t make their goal, they look forward to making several children and adults around Lake County and the state of Florida believe in “the force” of charity involvement.
November 8: Diabetes fundraiser – Simka Sweets, Cagan Crossings in Clermont
November 16: Book Fair – Lost Lake Elementary, Clermont
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