You’ve seen him on Twitter, at Music Hall, and in the Opening Day parade. But how did Fluke Skywalker, the self-described “volunteer cosplayer for charity” begin his journey on the Jedi path?
Kind of a long time ago, in a galaxy, not all that far, far away, he started volunteering to help children at Ronald McDonald House and donating toys with universal appeal. He eventually donned a Jedi’s robe and picked up a light saber as he dropped off those Star Wars toys. Not surprisingly this is his busiest time of year.
“What Christmas is the Santa Claus,” he says, “May the 4th is to me.”
When did you become Fluke Skywalker?
I lost 90 pounds from August 2016 to August 2017. Shortly after that I started hearing the Mark Hamill comment quite a bit. That Christmas I decided to go to my local Ronald McDonald House – where my family and I had been volunteering for 10 years – with Star Wars toys.
We loaded the toy closet for the kids who have to stay there while awaiting chemo and surgeries. It was a big success and they asked if I would come back. So every three months without fail since then, I drop off Star Wars toys to the Ronald McDonald House for the kids.
What are you most proud of about your work with Ronald McDonald House?
In 2006, my wife's friends from her work invited us to help make a big Sunday brunch for the family staying at the Ronald McDonald House. We liked it and started doing it about five or six a year.
We did this for 10 years, when the Ronald McDonald House brought in a professional chef for a better nutrition. Our volunteer opportunity changed a bit so I had to figure out something else to do to help.
Losing the weight and purchasing the costume and lightsaber was my way of making the commitment to always bring them toys and to do events to raise money for the charity.
I am most proud of having helped purchase a handicap-accessible van for a huge Star Wars fan who is in a wheelchair.
How do you celebrate May the 4th?
I volunteer from sun up to sundown.
The morning starts with my annual visit to Local 12 TV station. Bob Herzog always invites me on because he is a huge Star Wars fan. This gives me an opportunity to promote the events I’m going
to be doing that day and for the next few days. Bob is an absolutely wonderful guy. The fact that he does this every year is always unbelievable to me. He’s helping so many people – I don’t know if he understands how big of an impact that is on our community.
Once I leave the studios, my friend Jon Hammer, who plays the Mandalorian, and I will head over to the Newport Aquarium for their Star Wars Day from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
I will head home after that and get ready for the next event while John heads North to the COSI Center in Columbus for their Star Wars evening event.
I, on the other hand, will be spending the evening at Grainworks Brewing Company in West Chester for a free, family- friendly fundraiser to help out disabled veterans, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Many characters from the movies will be there as well as a lot of fun activities, raffles, food, drinks, and things to do for the kids. It should be a very fun night for everyone. Even if someone is not a Star Wars fan, they may want to come just to help support the disabled veterans who volunteered to serve their country and were wounded in action. In my opinion we can never repay these people enough for their sacrifice.
How did you decide to use your powers for good?
I was already doing the volunteer work. I've been a volunteer since I was a kid – I used to ride my bicycle to raise money for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day telethon.
I'm just continuing being that same volunteer, as I like helping out others.
Also, the attorneys for Disney are a huge incentive to just
volunteer, and not take any pay!
What other charities do you work with?
Make a Wish, Four Paws for Ability. Blue Skies for the Good Guys and Gals, Juvenile arthritis Foundation and a few others from time to time.
How can people support your efforts?
I really only ask once a year, on Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
People have been very generous and donated to help buy lots of toys and special things like several Star Wars pinball machines for the kids game room at the Ronald McDonald House.
I do have a GoFundMe that is up year-round, but I only ask for help one day of the year.
Should someone want to donate to help buy more toys at Christmas and then every three months throughout 2024 they can donate at https://gofund.me/071f8b27.
Have you met Mark Hamill?
I have never met Mark Hamill but I see him every morning when I'm shaving!
his is actually the most often asked question of me. The second one is “Did I look like him when I was younger?” Not really. Both of us are white guys with blonde hair and blue eyes. That's about it.
Mark has followed me on Twitter since 2019 and knows my every move. I do this on purpose so he can keep an eye on me. He has a sterling reputation and does not want some Joker from Cincinnati messing it up for him.
It would be fun to meet Mark Hamill. However, I'm not in this for the Star Wars as much as I'm doing all this for charity. At best, I am a C+ Star Wars fan and an A+ volunteer for charity. That's where my priorities lie.
What's your favorite Star Wars movie?
I like the one with C-3PO in it – Just kidding!
Actually I like all of them equally. This is a tough question to answer. It's like someone asking you who your favorite child is. I don't have a favorite one, I love both of my kids equally. Same goes for the movies.
May the force be with you!