LYNNWOOD — Storm troopers, Rebel pilots and Sith lords greeted busy holiday shoppers at the Alderwood mall Saturday. About a dozen fully costumed characters from the epic Star Wars series spent the afternoon at the Toys “R” Us store collecting donations for the Toys for Tots program.

The Marine Corps collects toys every year in different communities across the country, which then go to needy children as Christmas gifts.

This was the first time film characters were helping the Marines, and the donation bins were filling up fast, U.S. Marine Sgt. Hector Deltoro said.

The costumes disguised avid Star Wars fans with kind hearts.

They are all members of local Star Wars clubs — there are hundreds of them all over the world — where fans get together, make costumes and appear at parades and other events to raise money for different charities.

Misty Buxton, 29, of Renton was dressed in the Rebel Alliance pilot uniform — an orange jumpsuit and a blue helmet.

“This is what we do; we have fun with it,” she said. “It’s always a really good experience.”

Rebel fighter Mechelle Allen from Marysville was amazed at how many people stopped by.

“It’s great that even though there is a war, our Marines are still thinking about toys,” she said.

When she’s not a Star Wars character, Allen is a 42-year-old stay-at-home mom.

“I love Star Wars, but I love kids even more,” she said. “They always crack me up. They are just so full of wonder.”

Smiling boys and girls handed toys to their favorite Star Wars characters, happy to share their holidays with children who might not otherwise get presents this year.

“Whatever we can do to bring a smile to people’s faces, we will do,” Eugene Seibert said.

The 28-year-old Newcastle resident was dressed as Darth Nihilus, one of the evil characters.

Seibert said his tall figure draped in a black robe and the ominous white mask on his face sometimes frightens the younger children.

When a child gets scared, off goes the mask to reveal a kind, human face.

“It’s a scary costume,” Seibert said. “But once they touch the mask and realize there’s somebody under there, they aren’t afraid anymore.”

Reporter Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452 or kyefimova@heraldnet.com.