Video gaming marathon
Event raises more than $2300 for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals
Throughout five rooms on the fourth floor of DeMoss Hall, Liberty students and Lynchburg locals alike gathered for a video gaming marathon from 8 a.m. Oct. 31 until 8 a.m. Nov. 1 for the Extra Life event hosted by the Liberty University Video Game Club and Anime Club.
Game on — Jason Lynch gamed sporting headwear from a military surplus store for added effect during part of the 25-hour event. Photo credit: Amber Tiller
“Extra Life is a grassroots experience that mobilizes passionate games of all types to help Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat sick and injured kids in their communities,” Extra Life’s Facebook page reads. “Extra Lifers raise money year-round, culminating a massive international day of play each fall.”
Jack Whisler, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Coordinator, said the group wanted to have an extra hour because of daylight savings time instead of waiting for the international day Nov. 7.
According to the club’s president, Sam Adams, this is the fifth consecutive semester the club has coordinated an Extra Life event, and more than 300 people attended.
“Play Games. Heal Kids.” is the motto for Extra Life, and the clubs raised more than $2300 for Lynchburg General Hospital and Virginia Baptist Hospital.
Children’s Miracle Network works through these hospitals and “locally provides pediatric and neonatal medical equipment, facilities, and transportation equipment for the hospitals” according to childrensmiracle.net.
Many participants stayed into the night, and as the event continued, people were seen coming and going, playing anything from the card game “Superfight” to role-playing in “Dungeons and Dragons” or the video game “Halo.”
The hub of the event, room 4075, held the food supply which included Gamer Fuel Mountain Dew as well as Doritos, Cheez-Its and many other snacks which were accessible once the $15 admission was paid. Donated food included 400 wings from Buffalo Wild Wings, 20 pizzas from Papa John’s Pizza. Also, an XS Energy Drink represented at the event donated proceeds to Extra Life.
And anything from cords to consoles could be found within the maze of tables and chairs strewn in different directions throughout the room. Movies such as “The Lego movie” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” streamed through projectors partly for background noise as people were generally occupied by a video game or board game.
In other rooms such as 4066, computers and televisions surrounded the premises as gamers claimed spots and some played individually while others worked together or competed in tournaments for games such as “Smash Brothers” and “League of Legends.”
In addition, prizes such as GUNNAR gaming glasses will be given Nov. 5 at Buffalo Wild Wings not only for these tournaments, but also for the top three fundraisers prior to the event and cosplay winners. Also, the total amount of fundraising — since some club members are still raising funds until the night Nov. 4 — will be announced at the gathering.
For more information about the Liberty University Video Game Club or the gaming marathon in the spring visit the club’s Facebook page.
TILLER is the feature editor.