501 Mile Walk

I am a member of the world wide Star Wars costuming group called the 501st, most people are aware of the group by its participation in various charities and fund raisers. The Susan G. Komen has been a charity that I have become involved with on a personnel level, my wife Eileen was very passionate about this cause and believed with all of her heart that everyone can make a difference no matter the magnitude of the effort. When Eileen passed November 7th of 2012 I knew that I wanted to do something that would keep her memory alive and in the hearts of all those she touched so I created Eileen's Little Angels. As a member of the 501st, one way to give back was to make my visit to Children's Hospitals extra special so what I have done is that I have created several items using Eileen's artwork and gathering them in a gift bag and giving them to the children with cancer during my visits. What I have created is a coloring book, comforter, bandanas and a plush doll all featuring Eileen's art, all at no cost to the families, with everything produced by the funds that I raise by walking...in Star Wars Stormtrooper armor. On October 18th I will depart from the world famous Star Wars museum RANCHO OBI-WAN in Petaluma, California for a five week walk arriving November 20th in San Diego. Once in San Diego I will be participating in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk, 60 miles in three days for a total of 700 plus miles. My wish is to dedicate each mile that I walk in honor of or in memory of someones loved one for a donation of $50.10. Since my wife passed away I have found great comfort in signs left for me from Eileen, and there have been many. Funny story. I recently moved into an apartment in a artist community in downtown Saint Paul, Minnesota, when I was shown the apartment by the manager it was #501. When I researched the distance from San Francisco to San Diego I found it to be 501 miles so needless to say my path was now set. What I will do for the donation is, I will wear a pink bandana with the words WALKING IN MEMORY OF (or in HONOR of) a specified loved one with the mile and the date dedicated. Upon returning home I will then forward onto the donor (if an address is provided) the bandana with a lapel pin honoring my walk also included. 100% of the funds received will go to producing the gift items from Eileen to the children, and I should mention that my visits will be accompanied by costumed Star Wars and Superhero characters. This makes our visits truly a memorable and super fun experience for the children so please help me to make this a long lasting tribute for these kids and help me to honor the memory of my wife, Eileen.