If you are a gamer with a heart of gold, then you have probably heard of Extra Life. If you haven’t, then it’s time you do. Extra Life is a 25-hour charity gaming event that donates all its proceeds to CMN (Children’s Miracle Network) hospitals to help children in need.
SO HOW DOES IT WORK?
Get a friend or relative to sponsor you. This can be a one-time donation or it can be a monthly pledge. Some have even been sponsored based on achievements within a game, on an hourly basis, or by the number of games/levels played.
Basically, get sponsored in any way possible! The goal of the marathon gaming event is to raise money, not just play games.
WHAT GAMES COUNT?
Extra Life may have started out as purely video games, but over the years it has transformed to include anything from RPGs to board games to lawn sports. So while some of you gamers on GameSkinny may not be thinking of the other side of the gaming world, there will be a lot of people out there playing Yahtzee, Bocce, or D&D (not the online version).
Basically, just play your favorite games with your favorite people. And if Solitaire happens to be your bread and butter, then there is room for you in the marathon too!
SLOW DOWN. WHEN IS THIS EVEN HAPPENING?
November 2nd, 2013. So why even talk about this now? Raising money doesn’t happen overnight. Unless some absurdly wealthy long lost relative is going to leave you all his money after he conveniently meets a tragic end shrouded in mystery on the 1st, you have to put some work in.
Make the calls and use up those favors you’ve been stocking up on, because this marathon is about the children, not the games.
SO HOW DO I KNOW WHERE MY MONEY IS GOING?
Turns out, you can actually pick the hospital you want to help during registration. Is there a CMN Hospital in your town? Select it and all the money you raise goes to help the children receiving treatment at that location.
THE BEST PART?
You can sign up to participate for free. No money has to come out of your pocket unless you want it to. And if you do decide to donate, it’s tax deductible. Even better, if you can’t commit to Nov. 2, you can do it on any day that is convenient for you around that date!
Plus this isn’t just some half-baked excuse to shirk your responsibilities and game for a day. Last year, the marathon raised $2,300,000 for CMN Hospitals!
So stop gaming without a purpose and donate your time, energy, and passion to helping kids out there who really need it!
