See the release below:

DCSWCC NOW FIVE YEARS OLD

A long time ago, in our nation's capital region. August 19, 2008 marked the fifth anniversary of The Washington DC Metro AreaStar Wars Collecting Club (DCSWCC). Back in the summer of 2003, Mike Kurtz convened 18 local die-hard Star Wars collectors in a library basement. DCSWCC is now one of the largest and most active Star Wars collecting clubs in America, with over 110 members. The club meets monthly and holds special events such as socials and "Roadshow" appraisal events throughout the year. DCSWCC members have attended all major Star Wars events and held prominent volunteer positions at JediCon in West Virginia, Celebration III in Indianapolis, Celebration IV in Los Angeles, Celebration Europe in London, and Celebration Japan in Tokyo.

Throughout the last five years, DCSWCC and its members have contributed significantly to the Star Wars fandom and have supported children of the local communities. Mainly through sales of exclusive Lucasfilm-sanctioned cloisonne lapel pins featuring Yoda, Chewbacca, and Boba Fett, DCSWCC has raised over $14,000 for charities such as DC Children's Hospital, The Children's Inn at NIH, the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Program, United Mitochondrial Disease Fund, and the 501st's Katie Johnson Fund. In addition, members have donated countless canned goods and toys to local food pantries and Toys for Tots campaigns.

DCSWCC's latest charity pin drive is still underway, with less than 200 pins remaining. You can help them reach their goal of $6000 -- please visit http://store.dcswcc.org and order your pin now!

Happy belated birthday, DCSWCC!

For more information, visit the club's website at http://www.dcswcc.org