The contest winner of the Star Wars: Force For Change initiative, which goes towards UNICEF Innovation Labs and Programs to help children and families around the world, was revealed today, and Star Wars: Episode VII director posted a note of thanks to all those who contributed to the cause.

D.C. Barns, of Denver, CO, has won the opportunity to not only visit the London set to go behind-the-scenes of the new Star Wars film, but to also be in the film in full costume and make-up! You can watch the “winner reveal” video here below and rejoice with life-long Star Wars fans Barns as he embarks on the experience of a lifetime!

Last May, the contest was launched as part of the Star Wars: Force For Change initiative, and over $5 million has seen been raised for the charity through this contest. To enter, contestants had to give a minimum donation of $10, with those who gave more getting more entries into the contest.

August 11, 2014 was the date scheduled for the grand-prize winner to be announced. Abrams took to Twitter this morning to post a photo of a note of thanks and a welcome to Barns, with the note being held by a robot/droid hand.

#ForceForChange @starwars #EpisodeVII @omaze @UNICEF #uinnovate @UNICEFinnovate pic.twitter.com/pCAbhcjKxn

— Bad Robot (@bad_robot) August 11, 2014

Congratulations to D.C. Barns, we hope it’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of and more – we’ll be living vicariously through you!

The Force For Change program raised $4.26 million for UNICEF Innovation Labs and Programs, with Disney committing to donation another $1 million, according to the press release sent out this afternoon by Walt Disney Studios, which stated that the money will support the equivalent of 7-8 new Innovation Labs to aid children and families.

Visit StarWars.com/ForceForChange for more details about this charity.

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