He doesn’t do ho-ho-ho and he’s not especially jolly.
But Star Wars villain Darth Vader was every bit a Santa during a visit to the Toy Traders store on the Langley Bypass Sunday morning, just one who travels with armoured Imperial storm troopers and other dangerous-looking lackeys instead of reindeer.
Hundreds of excited kids and parents applauded the Dark Sith Lord, who had added a bright red Santa hat to his ominous dark costume.
It was a fundraiser for the Langley Christmas Bureau.
“This one caught us by surprise,” Bureau manager Velma MacAllister said as she watched people dropping off donations of cash and presents for the privilege of being photographed with “Santa Vader.”
“This is a new one,” she said.
It is the fourth year that the event has been staged by members of the “Outer Rim Garrison,” a group of B.C. Star Wars fans devoted to creating exact replicas of the costumes from the classic film series.
Toy Traders owner Matthew Purdy said the event has raised money for a variety of different charities through the years.
This year, they chose the bureau, which provides Christmas cheer to hundreds of Langley families each year.
The six-hour event raised $5,000, a record, said Purdy.
“There was a ton of toys, too.”
MacAllister said the ‘Darth Santa” fundraiser is one of a number of new donors that have come forward to help the bureau at a time when demand is expected to rise 10 per cent from the previous year.
So far, she said 700 children have been registered.
“That equates to 320 families,” MacAllister said. “And we still have four weeks to go.”
Last year, the bureau assisted 787 families, which included 1,800 children.
READ MORE: Star Wars characters lend hand to Langley Shriners
READ MORE: The Force was strong with Vader Santa in Langley
This year the bureau opened its seasonal office in a new location, at 120-19860 Langley Bypass. It will remain open until Dec. 19 to accept donations.
Open Mondays through Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the bureau is looking for new, unwrapped, new toys and $25 gift cards. Donations can also be dropped off in Aldergrove, at 26959 Fraser Hwy., on Mondays and Wednesdays until Dec. 12.
For more details and drop-off hours, visit http://www.langleychristmasbureau.com/contact-us/ or call 604-530-3001.
For a second year, the bureau is also partnering with Newlands Golf & Country Club to hold the Children’s Wish Breakfast.
Last year’s breakfast drew more than 1,000 people, collected 1,200 gifts, and raised $4,000.
READ MORE: Children’s Wish Breakfast returns for a second year
This year’s version is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov.27 from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the golf club located at 21025 48th Ave.
