501ST LEGION ANNOUNCES COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL MAKE-A-WISHTM ENDOWMENT FUND

Atlanta, Georgia, September 3, 2016 – The 501st Legion announces today their commitment to a first-of-its kind international endowment in a unique partnership with Make-A-WishTM. The 501st Legion Make-A-Wish Endowment Fund will allow Make-A-Wish America and Make-A-Wish International to grant more Star Wars-related wishes to children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. This endowment fund will allow Make-A-Wish to grant wishes, alternating between the United States and international locations every other year – a first for an endowment of this kind.

The 501st Legion Make-A-Wish Endowment Fund will rely on contributions from its membership, as well as the public. The Legion does not charge for its appearances, but has always accepted donations to charities that are supported by its members. Together, raising $150,000 by September 2021 will unlock the first step into granting wishes to children for many years to come. Once the minimum gift is achieved, the Endowment fund will grant wishes from the interest accrued; as the fund continues to grow, so will the number of wishes granted by the endowment.

For over ten years, the 501st Legion has raised thousands for varied Make-A-Wish chapters, all over the globe. The 501st Legion Make-A-Wish Endowment Fund allows the organization, touting over 9500 members in over 60 countries, to band together for a greater global impact.

MORE ABOUT DRAGON CON

Dragon Con is the internationally known pop culture convention held each Labor Day in Atlanta. Organized for fans by fans, Dragon Con features more than about 3,000 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music and gaming over four days. For more information, please visit www.dragoncon.org and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

MORE ABOUT THE 501ST LEGION

The 501st Legion is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to bringing beloved Star Wars characters to life. Founded in 1997, the 501st Legion seeks to promote interest in Star Wars fandom, through the building and wearing of quality costumes. The group facilitates the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events, as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.

MORE ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 28,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 35 minutes. It has granted more than 270,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,800 in 2015 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.

A press conference will be held at Dragon Con, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is known as the “birthplace of the 501st Legion.”

ONEDAY CHARITY EVENT AIMS TO RAISE HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR ONE ORLANDO FUND

The Hangin With Web Show Scheduled to Cover Charity Event by the creators of Heroes & Villians Fan Fest & Walker Stalker Con     

     ORLANDO, FL -- On September 17, 2016, fans of TV’s top shows will have the opportunity

to meet their favorite stars at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, while

raising money for the victims and families of the Pulse Nightclub attack.

     Dozens of well-known actors from The Walking Dead, The Flash, Arrow, and other shows will

meet fans, sign autographs and take photos ( see full list ). Most importantly, 100% of the profits

raised from ticket sales, autographs, professional photo ops, and vendor sales will be donated

to the One Orlando Fund.

     James Frazier, who created and runs the popular Heroes & Villains Fan Fest and Walker

Stalker Con events, is an Orlando native, as are several others on his team.

     “I grew up in Orlando, graduated from high school there, got married there, and had four of my

children there,” said Frazier. “Last week, my heart was broken by a senseless tragedy. I

wondered, what can we do? How can we help? This September, we're inviting our community of

fans to come help us raise as much money as we can for the families that were impacted.”

     "From our actors and photograph vendor to our volunteers and the Orange County Convention

Center, everyone involved has stepped up to make Fan Fest Orlando possible. Our hometown

needs us. We've always supported each other, regardless of race, orientation, or creed, and this

makes that more clear,” said Jackie Prutsman, Orlando native and VP of Fan Fest.

     At this very special one day Orlando event, attendees will be treated to a merging of activities

regularly held at separate events, Heroes & Villains Fan Fest and Walker Stalker Con. This

means that stars from a wide range of television shows and movies will be in attendance

interacting with fans, and attendees can participate in an array of interactive experiences. More

than 500,000 people attend these Fan Fest events annually.

Activities in Orlando include:

     ● Free panel sessions led by the stars of some of the TV’s most popular shows.

     ● Action heroes and cosplayers roam the convention floor, making for interactive

experiences attendees will never forget.

     ● Vendors who deal in the comic, entertainment, zombie and other genres and industries.

There are even a number of opportunities to volunteer at the event, which can be found on the

Fan Fest Orlando website.

In Orlando, attendees will be treated to sessions with guests including:

● Stephen Amell ( Arrow series, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 )

● Lauren Cohan ( The Walking Dead, The Boy )

● Chandler Riggs ( The Walking Dead )

● David Ramsey ( Arrow )

● Emily Kinney ( The Walking Dead, Arrow, Flash )

● Josh McDermitt ( The Walking Dead )

● Michael Cudlitz ( The Walking Dead, Band of Brothers )

● Greg Nicotero (Executive Producer & Director, The Walking Dead )

● Alanna Masterson, Christian Serratos, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Ross Marquand, Seth

Gilliam, Sonequa MartinGreen (The Walking Dead )