USA TODAY US Edition

The Force is with another good cause: Charity

- Brian Truitt

The most philanthro­pic of Star Wars fans may get a chance to walk the same Jedi steps as Daisy Ridley’s Rey. The charitable initiative Star Wars: Force for Change launched a month-long campaign Tuesday that leads up to Star Wars Day on May 4. As part of it, the program is matching fan donations to four select charities — U.S. Fund for UNICEF (in support of UNICEF Kid Power), American Red Cross, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Make-A-Wish — up to $1 million.

In addition, fans who donate are entered to win a trip to Ireland and Skellig Michael island, the locale of the emotional final scene of Star Wars: The Force Awakens between Rey and Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker.

“Star Wars fans are some of the most generous, thoughtful and sympatheti­c people I have ever met,” said Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, who stars in an announceme­nt video with Hamill.

“I am so proud of the charitable work they have done over the years and hope this month-long donation-matching campaign will go some way to express our sincere thanks for their tireless efforts.”

Force for Change has raised more than $10 million so far with the help of the Star Wars community, and lucky fans who donate can snag other cool stuff. During the first week, the first 20 folks to raise or donate at least $500 will win a Blu-ray copy of The Force

Awakens (out today) signed by

the cast.

 ?? DAVID JAMES ?? Rey (Daisy Ridley) climbs the Jedi steps in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The scene was filmed on Ireland’s Skellig Michael island.
DAVID JAMES Rey (Daisy Ridley) climbs the Jedi steps in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The scene was filmed on Ireland’s Skellig Michael island.

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