Founded in 2007 by Tom Hutchens, Mando Mercs Costume Club (MMCC) has quickly grown to be one of the largest global Star Wars™ fan organizations. Mando Mercs Costume Club is a registered 501(c)(4) non-profit within the USA, with several chapters in countries around the world.

Mando Mercs is a truly unique organization as it encourages membership applicants to focus on adding their personal and distincitive creative individualiy as opposed to limiting them based soely on visual accuracies from the Star Wars™ films, books, comics, video games, and other media. The MMCC is an inclusive and friendly club, following the Mandalorian way of “Clans” or family units and a clans’ ability to adopt anyone who wishes to be a Mandalorian.

The Mando Mercs, in true homage to the characters they portray, have changed and adapted over the years to support the growing amounts of people interested in Mandalorian costuming. In 2011 Mando Mercs was recognized by LucasFilm LTD.  In 2014 Mando Mercs Costume Club became a registered 501(c)(4) non-profit, and expanded the mission of its charity fund “Little Warrior International” to continue bringing hope to underprivileged children and families in need around the world.

One of our main aims is to make life better for those who need our help and every Mercs member is actively seeking an opportunity to raise money for local and international charities during their events.

The Mercs is currently the only costume club to have formed its own charity: Little Warrior International. The goal of our charity is to help sick and underpriviledged children.

We don’t stop there, we also help our members with awards and scholarship donations, to help our members individually improve themselves.

Founded in November of 2007, Little Warrior International (LWI) began it’s crusade as a small internal fund created by donations from members within MMCC.  Known at the time as “Verd’ika Fund” (Verd’ika = Little Warrior in the Mandalorian language) MMCC members donated $250 to purchase presents for an orphan who would be celebrating the holidays alone.  Like today, MMCC members  felt that no child should go through life without even the faintest glimmer of hope.  Who better to bring these children hope than the very heroes they dream about; STAR WARS™ characters!

Since those early days, the mission of LWI has expanded to include helping fund other grass-roots charities in the local communities we serve.  LWI also raises money to help with disaster relief where children are affected.  From lifting up a sick child to raising money for relief efforts, LWI bring a greater purpose for MMCC members than just costuming.

Throughout the year MMCC Clans and Members raise money at local conventions and events, as well as collect donations through Paypal.  Because MMCC & LWI are governed by an all-volunteer staff, 100% of these funds go to fulling LWI’s mission. Examples of LWI in-action:

• Providing gifts/funds to children and families in need during the holidays.
• Benevolence donations to help fund local non-profit charity organizations.
• Benevolence donations to help fund youth outreach programs.
• Fundraising for disaster recovery.
• Fundraising for medical research.
• Operation B.O.B.A anti-bullying campaign.