I got into it after a while of soul searching. I was thinking of the kind of person I want my daughter to be, and how to kind of teach her life lessons like compassion and giving of yourself to help others. I had no clue how to do this, as I didn't want to simply donate to a charity and go "See this is charity and we help others this way." I wanted something that she could physically see. I had already ordered my Fett suit simply because I saw a stormtrooper in a youtube video and was looking for one for myself, but decided on Fett when saw the unfortunate and ill fated SFP advertisement for theirs. While waiting for it to arrive, the 501st did a Make A Wish charity event at my local mall. Seeing the effect they had on the local crowd and especially the children, as well as they raised about $1300 that day, I decided that once my Fett got to me, I was going to join. I applied and promised to make the upgrades to my suit and was approved. Since I have attended tons of events both solo, and with my daughter in tow. I have helped raise a ton of money for charities and have been lucky enough to have been blessed with many smiles and thanks of thousands of children. My garrison have become a second family to me, any of whom I'd help in a second. Personally even though I have been a member for a little over a year, I feel that I can never give enough back to equal what I have gotten from both my garrison and the public. Some call us elitist and snobish, but it doesn't bother me. I still feel a huge surge of pride when I get to tell someone that I am a member of the 501st and what I get to do as part of it.