A good way to look at how something like this works is to the 501st and it's founder. One it's not easy and two, when an organization gets to a point that it is recognized like the 501st is, Rules and stipulations have to be put in place. There is a charter that was written, that needs to be followed and costume requirements are VERY STRICT!!!!! I applaud the creativity that happens on this forum. Making armor and other props is not easy. But as a 501st member and being very anal retentive about what my gear looks like I can tell you now that PEP stuff would NOT be allowed. Sometimes the strict requirements upset people but that is the nature of the beast. On average a basic set up of say Stormtrooper armor (FX) type and not screen accurate mind you in kit form costs between $450 to $700. Sometimes cheaper and sometimes higher. Just depends. At a minimum, you will spend over a $1,000 to finish a suit. This includes the armor and everything to assemble it. Even when finished, your armor has to be approved. If it is not up to snuff, you have to keep tweaking it until it passes. I hate to say it but armor making and building is not cheap. It's very difficult to do and if you don't have some type of disposable income, you are going to be out of luck. Also, there is an age stipulation. The 501st is 18yrs and up. It's not set up that way to be mean, but as a CYA type of deal. The charity idea is a great start. We do tons of that and any appearances that my garrison has made, we ask that a donation be made to charaties that we help out with. Another part of it is not all appearances are approved. They have to fit a certain criteria. If LFL says they don't approve of say a certain parade, then you better not participate in it. LFL has gone after people that make unlicensed props so that is one "BIG BROTHER" you don't want mad at you. Just a little FYI. IF they say jump, then you say How High???? Doing this is what allows us to walk around as giant action figures. Please understand I am not saying you have to be just like the 501st!!!!!! There are things I don't like but that's how all big organizations go. The big drawback that occurs in something like this is some people let egos get in the way......That's no fun either.