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Force was strong with Santa Vader

Two area charities benefit from photo sessions at a Langley toy store earlier this month

A sci-fi twist on Santa photographs helped raise “some big coin” for flood relief and Langley families in need.

Once again, Toy Traders partnered with the 501st Legion Outer Rim Garrison – a B.C.-wide cosplay group – to host picture sessions with Santa Vader this month.

Proceeds from the Sunday afternoon event are being split between Langley Christmas Bureau and Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund, explained Toy Trader owner Matthew Purdy.

“The event was our best Santa Vader yet,” he added, noting that $4,230.40 was raised in only five hours.

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“What a blast!” Purdy said.

“We were setting up the extravagant Star Wars photo booth until midnight Saturday. Totally worth the effort, not only were there so many happy families, but we raised a bunch of money for two very good causes,” he concluded.

Among reactions to the event, Scott Burgess said his son “loved it!… Thank you all so much for the awesome time and effort you put into making this amazing and well done.”

Rick Novakovski called it “the coolest idea,” while James Willie said: “So much fun! Thanks again for all the Vader Claus goodness.”

This year’s Santa Vader success has convinced Purdy to do it again next Christmas. Now, he said, he has 12 months to convince the garrison, but he honestly doesn’t think it will take much arm twisting.

PAST EVENT: Vader Santa stop in Langley raises big coin for theatre kids

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Roxanne Hooper

About the Author: Roxanne Hooper

I began in the news industry at age 15, but honestly, I knew I wanted to be a community journalist even before that.
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