501st New England Garrison » General Discussion

Commander Fil

TK-3220 — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:57:58 +0000

Phil Maiewski, of the NEG, has completed his latest costume, appropriately, Commander Fil from the Clone Wars Cartoon.

From his blog:

I’d actually wanted to do an Animated Clone suit for years now. Way back when Brian ”Stormtrooperguy” Anderson first made the helmet for what would become the WCA kit, I jumped on the band wagon and managed to snag version 1 of his helmet. So I’ve been planning this Animated Clone for a while. Over the summer I found out about Commander Fil; a minor Clone Commander that appeared in one episode and died, but dammit, his name is “Fil”. I couldn’t NOT make a suit for this guy. Besides, he’s got all the accessories I like on the Clone Commanders that I felt I could do well (kama-skirt, mantle/pauldron, twin pistols) and none of the ones I’d likely mess up (Rangefinder, radio shoulder bell, Cody/Fox visor).

Fil (Full, rather) article here.

$3,400 to the Joann Weber Charitable Fund!

TK-3220 — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:26:18 +0000

Back in July, the New England Garrison trooped at the Star Wars Night at the Lowell Spinners, where we greeted fans and posed for pictures. In addition to our presense at the sold-out game, the Spinners were decked out in a made-for-the-event jersey, which would be auctioned off for charity after the game.

The NEG has learned that the auction garnered an impressive $3,400 for the Joann Weber Charitable Fund!

The fund has been established in Joann Weber’s memory. Along with her husband, Drew Weber, the two became owners of the Lowell Spinners in 1997. The fund supports charitable and civic organizations in the Greater Lowell area. The NEG is proud to have helped during the game!

DK Publishing Donates to Charity in Legion’s Name!

TK-3220 — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:16:47 +0000

DK Books announced yesterday that the company would be donating $50,000 in childrens books to The Today Show Charitable Foundation, Inc, in the name of the 501st Legion. 7,000 full color reference books will be sent to Boys and Girls Clubs of America around the country. In 2009, the 501st Legion trooped hundreds events across the country, and it was the major efforts of members that prompted this donation. According to Judi Powers, the Director of Marketing and Publicity for DK Books: “We love working with the 501st Legion volunteers, they are a dedicated, caring group of people. Last year we partnered with them on over 60 events and this year we’re planning even more. They make people smile wherever they go—from bookstores to conventions to children’s hospitals.”

Last October, the NEG trooped at six seperate DK troops, in Hingham MA, Newington MA, Providence RI, Sandwhich MA, Portland ME and Natick MA, with large crowds of people coming out for the launch of the Star Wars Lego Visual Dictionary.

“This donation from DK is a prime example of how many lives we can touch with our unique brand of volunteerism,” says Dean Plantamura, 501st Legion Public Relations Officer. “The men and women of the Legion donate their time and often commute great distances to bring a Star Wars presence to an event and smiles to children’s faces. In 2009 alone, we estimate that the efforts of the 501st Legion helped raise more than $300,000 to benefit charities all around the globe”

According to DK’s Associate Director of Publicity, Rachel Kempster: “We wanted to thank the 501st Legion in a big way, we know that children’s charities are near and dear to hearts of all 501st volunteers.”

Charity is indeed at the heart of the New England Garrison, who frequently troops at hospitals, parades and other major events, often raising money or accepting donations in the name of the Garrison.