Merit Network is proud to announce that it is providing reliable, high-speed internet to Gamers Outreach’s charity event, Gamers for Giving. Gamers for Giving is a weekend-long competitive video game tournament aimed at raising money for hospitalized children. The event is recognized as one of the largest independent LAN parties in the US and takes place on April 28th and 29th. By the end of the competition, Gamers Outreach is aiming to fundraise $350,000 to provide entertainment devices to children in hospitals.
“We aim to improve the quality of life of patients receiving treatment, especially for folks who do not have access to recreation or have something to do,” said Zach Wigal, founder of Gamers Outreach. Zach and his team are using this platform to fundraise their goal of $350,000 to generate resources for two of Gamers Outreach’s initiatives – Project Go Kart and Player Two. For every dollar raised up to $350,000, PUBG Corporation, the creators of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, one of the most popular games in the world, will donate matching funds.
By helping raise money, individuals allow for young video game enthusiasts to have fun in the hospital where they are often bedridden. “It has been shown that video games are a great way to socialize. It can even help with the healthcare process by being motivators to help patients get out of bed.” By providing hospitalized kids with these systems, children have to stand up to play games and as a result develop a standing tolerance that is often therapeutic to their treatment.
This event is aimed at the pediatric patients who share a special need for age appropriate activities; many of these children are used to having video games as part of their daily lives. Project Go Kart provides video game kiosks when they cannot go outside to play. Player Two is an initiative where video game enthusiasts volunteer as digital activity managers, play games with kids, and even offer tech support. Through these initiatives, children can continue about their regular, social routines while they continue to fight their illness.
Gamers for Giving is taking place at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, MI, on April 28th and April 29th. To donate or for more information about the event, please visit gamersforgiving.org.
