How Sabacc For Charity Is Turning Star Wars Card Games Into Real-World Good

There are plenty of ways to celebrate Star Wars fandom.
Collecting lightsabers. Rewatching The Clone Wars. Modding your favorite games.

And then there are fans using Star Wars to actually make the world a little better.

That’s exactly what’s happening with Sabacc For Charity, a fast-growing community initiative that’s turning the galaxy’s most famous card game into a real-world fundraising machine for local causes. What started as casual sabacc nights among friends has evolved into one of the most interesting grassroots Star Wars charity projects we’ve seen in years. SWTORStrategies is proud to be the first Star Wars gaming site to spotlight the project as it continues to expand into major convention appearances and charity events across the community.

And yes — it’s every bit as cool as it sounds.

From Friendly Sabacc Nights to a Full Charity Mission

Sabacc For Charity was founded in September 2023 by Jonathan Aponte and his wife Christine. Like many great Star Wars ideas, it began around a table with friends, cards, and a shared love for the galaxy far, far away.

Before long, those home sabacc tournaments became something more. The couple realized the game had the perfect ingredients for community-building: it’s easy to learn, competitive, social, and instantly recognizable to Star Wars fans.

So they asked a simple question:
What if sabacc tournaments could raise money for charity?

From there, Sabacc For Charity was born.

Their mission is refreshingly straightforward — bring Star Wars fans and gamers together for fun, immersive events while raising funds and awareness for charities that need it most.

Why Sabacc Works So Well in the Real World

Sabacc isn’t just a fun in-universe game. In real life, it’s a perfect event centerpiece.

It’s fast-paced, easy for newcomers to pick up, and competitive enough to keep things exciting. More importantly, it naturally creates a social atmosphere where fans connect, talk Star Wars, and keep coming back for more.

Sabacc For Charity uses that energy to host tournament-style events, convention meetups, and themed experiences that blend Star Wars immersion with real-world fundraising. Some events raise direct donations, while others collect essential goods for community organizations.

Either way, the result is the same:
fans having fun while helping others.

Supporting the Charities That Don’t Always Get the Spotlight

One of the most meaningful parts of Sabacc For Charity’s mission is its focus on smaller local nonprofit organizations.

Large charities often receive major funding and media attention. Smaller groups doing essential community work often don’t. By hosting sabacc tournaments and themed charity events, Sabacc For Charity helps bring visibility and funding to organizations that might otherwise struggle to be seen.

It’s a simple but powerful concept:
use fandom to support the communities around it.

Powered by Community (In True Star Wars Fashion)

No rebellion works alone — and neither does Sabacc For Charity.

Volunteers help design and build immersive props, create themed set pieces, run tables, and organize events. Star Wars–inspired small businesses have also stepped in, donating prizes and support to help make charity tournaments even more engaging.

What began as a handful of friends has grown into a dedicated community of fans united by two things: a love of Star Wars and a desire to make a positive impact.

That combination is proving surprisingly powerful.

Next Stop: MegaCon Orlando — Their Biggest Event Yet

Sabacc For Charity’s growth isn’t slowing down. In fact, their next event is easily their most ambitious so far. With over 160,000 attendees expected, MegaCon Orlando will mark their largest public Star Wars charity activation to date — and potentially their breakout moment on the global fan convention scene.

This March, the team will appear at MegaCon Orlando, one of North America’s largest fan conventions, with more than 160,000 attendees expected across four days.

And they’re not just attending — they’re building something special.

Sabacc For Charity will host a massive 25’ x 40’ Star Wars–themed space on the main convention floor, complete with immersive set builds and multiple gaming tables where attendees can learn sabacc, jump into matches, and take part in charity-driven gameplay throughout the weekend.

Think part cantina, part tournament floor, part community hub.

While the full gaming schedule is still being finalized, the core details and updates are already live here

For anyone attending MegaCon, this is shaping up to be one of the most unique Star Wars fan experiences on the floor. For everyone else, it’s a clear sign of just how fast this community project is scaling.

From small home sabacc nights to a convention presence in front of 160,000 fans — not bad for a game that started in a living room.

A Star Wars Community Project Worth Watching

At SWTORStrategies, we cover a lot of Star Wars content — games, mods, shows, and community projects across the galaxy. But every now and then, something stands out for a different reason.

Sabacc For Charity is one of those things.

It’s creative, community-driven, and rooted in the best part of fandom: people coming together over something they love and using it to do something good.

If you’re a Star Wars fan, a sabacc player, or just someone who likes seeing fandom used for more than memes and merch, this is absolutely worth keeping on your radar.

Learn more or support their mission here

Because sometimes the best wins don’t happen in-game — they happen in real life.

Stay connected with the galaxy’s latest updates!

Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, bsky or Pinterest for exclusive content, mod guides, Star Wars gaming news, and more. Your support helps keep the Holonet alive—one click at a time.