Yellow Ribbon Event for the Troops - Summer 2016

Back in March of this year, R2 was part of the Yellow Ribbon Event that promotes the well-being of National Guard and Reserve members, their families and communities, by connecting them with resources throughout the deployment cycle. Today, R2 and members of the 501st and Rebel Legions were invited back for another turn at this event.



R2 was requested to arrive earlier than the other characters, and visited several childrens activity rooms. (I didn't take pictures of those.) The kids had a great time meeting R2 and interacting with him.

After, R2 posed for pictures with people supplying various supporting services to members of the military and their families.



Kirk, our contact on the military side of things, was so impressed with our visit in March that he joined the 501st and had his first troop today as Kylo Ren!



Vader and his troops made their entrance by... Imperial escalator.



A short time later, R2 joined the other characters, where we went into a large ballroom for photo ops.



The characters presided over a game of Musical Chairs, set to Star Wars music.



As this mini-Tusken and mini-Jawa argued over the droid, R2 made his getaway.



It was a great event for a worthy cause.

Family Day at Goodyear Airship Operations

Today R2 and I were lucky enough to be invited out to Family Day at the Goodyear Airship Operations base in Carson, CA, where the Goodyear Blimp Spirit of Innovation resides. Ever since I was a small child I've always looked at the blimp with amazement and wonder.



Back in May I was fortunate enough to fulfill a lifelong dream, and I was able to have a ride on the blimp. I mentioned to my contact that I'd be happy to bring R2 out if there was interest, and Family Day was the perfect occasion.

We decided that R2 would be a surprise guest, so I parked such that no one could see me unload R2. Then I had him drive up to surprise everyone. The kids quickly gathered to check R2 out.



I was reunited with my pilot Taylor.



Even though R2 was a surprise visitor, a couple of the crew members happened to be sporting their Star Wars shirts.



Chief Pilot Matthew was kind enough to escort R2 and I out to the blimp itself, to get an up-close look.




Next, Matthew allowed me to get into the gondola, where he joined me and answered tons of questions and showed me compartments that aren't usually seen. The blimp remained tethered to its mast, but we still floated off the ground most of the time, which was really neat.



In the meantime, R2 waited patiently outside.



Once we were done, we returned to the picnic area, where employees were playing volleyball, with the blimp in the background.



A little while later, Family Day ended, and I put R2 back in the Droidmobile and headed home.



Everyone was so friendly, and I had a great time revisiting the blimp and meeting pilots and crew. Just a great time all around.

Boy Scout Fundraiser Kickoff

Today R2 helped out with the Boy Scouts of America Popcorn Fundraiser Kickoff.



The event was Star Wars themed, and normally Scoutmaster and fellow R2 Builder Matthew Henricks would cover this one, but he had another commitment, so I filled in.

Parents and scouts lined up for training and materials, and R2 was stationed here and there to greet them and take pictures.





Everyone enjoyed meeting R2, and the event went well.

Walk for Children with Apraxia

Today R2 joined about 40 members of the 501st and Rebel Legions to help fight Apraxia, in support of one of the Rebel Legion member's son, who suffers from this condition. Apraxia can affect motor skills, among other effects.



Luckily for me, this event was mere minutes from where I live, possibly the closest event I've ever done.

As always, the characters spend a lot of time interacting with attendees and posing for pictures.





About half way through the event, characters and attendees did a short walkathon.



R2 wasn't up for the stroll, but he was waiting for everyone near the finish line.



Everyone had a good time, and I appreciated my three minute drive home. :)