TROY LANDREVILLE

Times Reporter

Does Darth Vader have a soft side?

Judging by the fact that the Man in Black visited 91原创鈥檚 store to help raise funds for the 91原创 , the answer is, well, quite possibly.

Vader claimed his prime motivation was to raise 鈥淚mperial credits to rebuild the next death star鈥� but the truth is, he was at Toy Traders as part of the , a group of Star Wars enthusiasts who dress in costume to, according to the Legion鈥檚 website, 鈥渂ring (Star Wars) fans together, reinforcing the enduring longevity of the Star Wars 蝉补驳补.鈥�

The 501st also provides volunteering, fundraising, and charity work including, on May 13, raising funds for the Shriners, who support children in B.C. and Yukon requiring medical attention for any of the orthopaedic or other paediatric specialty conditions. Members of the 501st, including Vader, had their photos taken by donation to the Shrine Club.

Toy Traders owner Matthew Purdy said having the 501st at the store was a natural.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e Star Wars fans, I鈥檓 a huge Star Wars fan, and everybody here is a Star Wars fan, so it鈥檚 great for all of us. It鈥檚 just a lot of fun. And it raises money for charity so it鈥檚 a big hit.鈥�

Purdy said the Shriners are a worthy cause.

鈥淭he Shriners are all volunteers and (they) have their own hospital. So there鈥檚 all kinds of things the Shriners help with,鈥� Purdy said.

鈥淲hen a child comes into Shriners鈥� care, they pay for everything, (including) transportation to their own hospital.鈥�