CULTURE
The Good Batch THE 501ST LEGION STAR WARS COSPLAYERS MAKE THE CITY A BETTER PLACE By Michael Cripe In St. Louis, there was a horrific car accident. A 12-year-old boy survived. The crash killed his parents and his brother was left in critical condition. His grandfather had only one plan for how to provide a spark of joy that would distract the shell-shocked kid from the apocalyptic situation he was attempting to navigate. He called for help from the one thing that unequivocally cracks a smile on anyone’s face: a little magic from a galaxy far, far away. The boy’s grandpa didn’t call for the aid of a lightsaber-wielding Jedi. Instead, he reached out to Rich Heffernan, a professional Darth Vader and the Commander of the 70th Explorers Garrison. The Garrison is a branch of a global nonprofit called The 501st Legion—a Star Wars cosplay group that does live-action roleplay for charity. This was precisely the kind of mission that Heffernan and his Stormtroopers gear up to engage. Without a second thought, a squad of troopers was ready to march. Heffernan took the opportunity to provide a spark of hope, despite the concerns of the hospital holding the child. Official policy was to keep weekday visits to a minimum, but no one wants to tell a group of hard-headed Stormtroopers what they can and cannot do. “We got in trouble for it, but we didn’t care,” Heffernan says with a laugh. “They weren’t mean or anything. They just kind of scolded me for a little bit.” The grandparent forewarned the squadron of soldiers that the kid they were engaging with might not respond at all—he was nearly catatonic from processing such excessive tragedy. “We went in there and we had the kid out, walking around, talking, jumping,” Heffernan says. “Completely 100% turn from what we were told to expect.” While the Galactic Empire isn’t exactly known as a beacon of positivity, the Garrison’s hospital visits are a common occurrence, as are its hosted pancake breakfasts and group marches by the houses of ill children. The 501st is known for launching
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an eclectic series of public events, always with the intention of raising funds for various charitable organizations. Just as with any great Star Wars story, it’s the individual, meaningful moments that leave an impression. Like invading a children’s hospital to brighten the day of one traumatized child, no matter how many administrators stand in its way. It’s a raiding party of joy. “Seeing him light up like that, this is why I do it,” Heffernan says.
The Power Of The Dark Side The 501st is a real-life organization, based on a fictional group of elite soldiers commanded by the most infamous Sith Lord himself, Darth Vader. Referred to as Vader’s First in Star Wars lore, these comically ineffective henchmen form an army that is hellbent on maintaining the fascist status quo. In Kansas City, these joyful recreationists want to do anything but. “I would say 80% of what we do is actually related in some way, shape, or form either to supporting or trying to actually generate money for charity,” Heffernan says. His Garrison functions as a branch of an
exponentially larger, expansive 501st nonprofit. There are 175 members in Missouri and Kansas, with 75 residing in KC alone. The 14,495 registered 501st members stationed across the globe spend much of their time dressed up as Stormtroopers, Imperial Royal Guards, and other villain-aligned infantry. Still, it’s admittedly a bit jarring to see Darth Vader pocket his Force-choking hand to go on an Easter Egg hunt, while bounty hunters hand out baskets. “If we know of a nonprofit or event that needs the participation, we’ll seek it out,” says 70th Explorers Garrison Firehawk Squad Leader Jim Thayne. “We’ll do Star Wars Day at Kauffman Stadium and Planet Comicon, but we’ll also show up to a terminally-ill child’s birthday in the middle of the week at six in the evening.” Kansas Citians might spot seemingly ominous platoons of Stormtroopers walking in parades, participating in Step Up for Down Syndrome, or working with Children’s Mercy Hospital. Many 501st events focus on the overall experience, but they do aim to raise money for those in need whenever possible. At
Members of the 70th Explorers Garrison—the local branch of the 501st Legion—cosplay at multiple events across the city. Photos by Angela Stokes and Jim Thayne
Planet Comicon 2019, the group brought in $2,500. They also offer special interactions for a price, from standard photo-ops to the endlessly satisfying Blast-a-Trooper—where would-be Rebels only need three things: a few bucks, a Nerf gun, and sharp aim. Nailing the bucket heads with a dart is fun on its own, but Garrison member Kristopher Heid says some light taunting might be the best way to keep Nerf gunners engaged. “Every kid is a little different,” Heid says. “Some are even scared to approach us. I’ve taken off my helmet to show kids that I’m just a regular person underneath, so they know we’re all here to have a good time.” The 2019 Comicon funds were submitted to Kansas City Hospice and Camps For Kids, while an additional $1,500 from Comicon 2021 went to Saint Luke’s Hospital. In addition to local contributions, a percentage of fiscal intake is sent up-chain
