What is Extra Life? The simple answer is that it’s a charity organization that raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The long answer to what it is and how they got started is best told by them, here.
What
does this have to do with me? This takes more time. A few years ago, I had a
class assignment to do something that had a social impact. There were a lot of
really fun and interesting projects. I chose to take part in the Extra Life
Charity marathon. I don’t know if it was expected that we would keep doing the
projects well past the end of the class, I’m fairly certain it was not.
However, I find the act of helping and supporting the other people who are a
part of this group deeply rewarding. That’s why I’ve continued to take part every
year. It just feels so damned good. It’s selfish, I know, but that’s why I do
it.
This
will be the fifth year I’ve taken part in the event. All the money I raise will
go to the Dayton Children’s Hospital. I personally haven’t needed the hospital
for a couple of decades now, but there are plenty of people who do and I’m
happy to offer as much help as I can. The first year I did this was 2012, and
in that time I’ve managed to raise $1710. Last year was the best, I raised
$665, cut and died my hair and shaved my beard. Shaving my beard incidentally was
awful. I hated it. It scratched and burned, and itched like hell. I’m willing
to do it all again and I honestly didn’t think I would.
Here’s
where I ask for your help. I’m asking for folks to support me through the
marathon by donating $1 here for each hour I play, in other words $25 per person.
However, any amount you can give, would be amazing. Once I’ve hit my goal I
start offering things for further amounts. My current goal is $500. When I hit
that, I’ll include one randomly chosen donor in the annual Christmas Story I
post to my blog. After that I start offering other “stretch goals” like the fore
mentioned haircut and dye job. My niece has suggested I record a music video
for my YouTube channel, at this point, that is a long way off, we’re looking at
a ridiculous amount of money, $10,000 at the least. (If you donate all of it, I’ll
let you pick the song.) Those goals come later though, for now let’s all just
focus on the $500.
I’m
once again taking part in the large gaming marathon that happens near the end
of every year. Once again, I’ll be taking part in the annual marathon, a twenty
five hour, gaming extravaganza. This year I’m having some guests at my
marathon.
Typically,
some of my friends and I gather at my house and play games from noon to noon.
This year, to allow for more people, I’m starting differently. The first four
hours of my party will be open to kids. We’re going to be playing children’s
games and I’m asking all of my friends with children to bring them over to
play. I’ve got Super Rhino, King of Tokyo, Fantasy Forest, and the original
Fireball Island. I’m thinking of getting out the Family rules for Flash Point,
Jenga, and possibly Tumbling Dice. Maybe even my Extra-Life reserved copy of
Risk Legacy that I only use during the Marathon and everyone has to play at
least once, so their name goes on the board.
After
that, I’m going to break out the more advanced games. That’s when the adults
and children whose parents don’t mind them learning that kind of language.
Beyond that, I know it’s going to be fun as hell and exhausting. I’ll post
photos to Instagram and Twitter. I’ll post some video to Periscope. I did last
year and it was a bunch of fun.
Beyond
that, I know the Dayton Extra Life Guild has some events planned. There’s a
meetup in October at Epic Loot in Centerville that I will be attending. I hope
to see some of you there.
That’s
all for now. I’ll check back in regularly to see how we’re all doing and leave
some thoughts on what’s going on. Thanks for helping out.
