This Saturday, a handful of Co-Optimus staff and community members are joining thousands of other gamers in a task that is as foolish as it is noble. We're participating in the Extra Life Game Day celebration, when most of us will be attempting a 24 (or 25) hour marathon to raise donations for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Let's introduce the team!
Christopher Metz
I've been doing this for years now, and each year has been more fulfilling than the last. While I don't have a particular person that I'm doing this for, I wish to help out any children out there who need medical care. CHOP is a wonderful healthcare institution and I hope to one day work for them as a pediatric nurse! This is my small way to help their kids in need, no matter who they are or where they come from in life.
Marc Allie
This year, I am doing something a bit different for Extra Life: my Pioneers students will be joining me for 12 hours of gaming! On Thursday, November 3, starting at 9:00 AM, we will begin our gaming session. Our goal is to play board games, card games, and of course video games all throughout the day, even after school! The gaming will wrap up at 9:00 PM. We are planning to webcast the gaming session live, and my students will be doing commentary and that sort of thing. Our webstream will be posted at the Pioneers website located here.
Zachery Schwarz
Gaming has always been a passion of mine, so 5 years ago when I found out about extra life an event that allowed me to raise money for charity and game all at the same time. I was in. But recently I lost my younger brother and my parents were devastated as was I.Now I do this in his memory because no one deserves to lose a child and if the money I raise for the children's miracle network hospitals can help impact even one life I know that it is worth it.
James Wyatt
I'll be playing for most of the day, maybe even all 24 hours this year! I'll be playing with my two favorite gamers: Smurphster and BobbyThumbs. I've been playing with these guys for years and they are awesome. I don't have many friends, so I'm always grateful for these two guys. They are both married with children of their own, which adds to our bond as we fundraise for such a worthy cause.
Eric Murphy
When I was first given the role of Community Manager here at Co-Optimus, I was approached by a few members about organizing a team for Extra Life. Since I have a very personal connection to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, I immediately said yes and spun up a Co-Optimus team. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin saved my oldest daughter's life when she was born 3 1/2 months early. I will always consider that to be a debt unpaid, because how can I possibly put a price on my child's life? I've been raising donations for Extra Life ever since, and I'm proud to have led such an awesome team for the past 5 years.
Not everyone on the team had something personal to say, but they're no less important than anyone else. Filling out our team of 12 are:
Please consider donating to Extra Life. It's a great cause! Click on any of our participant's names to go directly to their pages to make a donation. Make sure to stop by on Saturday to watch us live! Marc is playing today, so you can even watch his class live right now! Good luck to all participants (regardless of what team you're on), and thanks to all the donors!