About the Squad

Having an impact on the local community is one of the most important things to members of the Tampa Bay Squad. By hosting and attending events, our 501st members work tirelessly to help promote and raise awareness for a large variety of important causes they support.

One of the primary goals of the Tampa Bay Squad is to have each of our squad members represent their community by hosting at least one event per calendar year. With nearly 50 members currently in our squad, this results in our trying to participate in events within the Tampa Bay Area on weekly basis. In 2008 alone, our 39 members were locally active in 48 events; A clear accomplishment of our yearly goal.

The Tampa Bay Squad proudly does promotional events for companies, appears at birthday parties, and participates in a variety of fundraising events. Visits are regularly scheduled for local veterans’ hospitals, schools, and other community organizations.

Squad members also pride themselves on being involved in events and campaigns aimed at findings cures for, raising awareness of, or bettering the lives of people touched by various diseases ranging from autism to cancer and beyond. Squad members regularly participate in awareness walks, and one of our greatest events is an annual visit to the St. Joseph's Children’s Hospital in Tampa. Even as we troop in the name of Darth Vader, we can’t deny that we have a soft spot for children and children’s causes!

Bettering the community in which we live is an important part of being a 501st member. As our group continues to grow, and with your help and involvement, we only aim to expand the positive impact we have on the lives of others.

A list of organizations and charities the local 501st has partnered with:

  • St. Josephs's Childrens Hospital
  • Metrocon
  • Sawgrass Lake Elementary School
  • All Children's Hospital
  • Tampa Comic Book & Toy Convention
  • St. Petersburg Santa Parade
  • Festival of States Parade
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation of Tampa Bay
  • Carnival of Wishes
  • James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital
  • Bay Pines Veterans' Association
  • Unlocking Autism For One Small Voice
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
  • Pinellas Park Holiday Parade
  • March of Dimes
  • American Cancer Society
  • Clouds of Hope Foundation
  • Gulf Middle School
  • JD Floyd Elementary
  • Dark Side Comics and Games
  • 48 Hour Guerilla Film Festival
  • Yancy Street Comics
  • YMCA of Lakeland
  • Stars of Hope
  • Pinellas Park USPS
  • Children's Cancer Center
  • Junior League of Tampa