Friday, December 13th is the fourth annual “Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars” Day. The event is meant to be an affirmation of geek pride for sci-fi fans of all genders and also a statement against bullying. If Star Wars isn’t your thing you can express yourself through your favorite science-fiction related items (“Wear Who, Share Who” perhaps?). The important thing is to teach kids that there is nothing wrong with being a sci-fi geek.
Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars Day was started by Carrie Goldman who writes the Portrait of an Adoption blog and is the author of the book Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher, and Kid Needs to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear. In 2010 the Star Wars fan community massively supported Carrie’s first grade daughter after she had been bullied for liking Star Wars. Carrie and her family have been giving back to the geek community that supported them in many ways since then. One example is Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars Day.
Here are the instructions for Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars Day from the Portrait of an Adoption post on the event:
- Wear something Star Wars or science fiction-related.
- Donate a Star Wars or science fiction toy to a child in need (but please put a post-it note on the new, unwrapped toy specifying that it can go to a girl or a boy; otherwise, these traditional “boy toys” will be given only to boys). You can bring the toy to a hospital, a shelter, or drop it off with any charitable organization collecting toys.
Carrie also invites you to tag photos on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #WSWSSW2013.
I was one of those Star Wars fans that sent Katie a message of support in 2010. Like Katie, I grew up as a girl who loved Star Wars. Unlike Katie I was lucky enough to have never been bullied for that interest . My most traumatic memory as a young, female Star Wars fan was losing one of my Darth Vader earrings. I wish every fan’s troubles were so minor.
If you are in Chicago and looking for places to share some Star Wars or science fiction themed toys for WSWSSW, Friday, December 13 is also the final collection day for the Care for Real toy drive. Last year when I was helping Care for Real donations I was thrilled to find a Star Wars toy with a Wear Star Wars, Share Star Wars note on it. Star Wars is not just for boys!
Here are the places where you can drop off toy donations for Care for Real from now through Friday:
- Care for Real, 5341 N. Sheridan Rd
- The Coffee Studio, 5628 N. Clark
- The Landmark of Andersonville, 5245 N. Clark
- Foursided Custom Framing Gallery, 5061 N. Clark
- Toys Et Cetera, 5311 N. Clark
Also on Friday, December 13th the Swedish American Museum at 5211 N. Clark celebrates the St. Lucia Festival of Lights with a candlelit, carol-filled procession followed by singing and treats. Admission is $1 or a canned food item for Care For Real, OR this year bring a toy for the toy drive.
Additonally, although there are only a few shipping days left, but Amazon Prime members can use their free two-day shipping for a good cause by purchasing from wish list where I’ve added some additional Star Wars items in honor of WSWSSW.
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Kim Z. Dale 