Even as the Cascadians’ rivals, the Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Portland Timbers, try to overtake each other and move up the standings, supporters of each club and other mutual supporters have been making jokes apart. It shows that we can come together and contribute to our community.
“Frenemies” unite
Perhaps enemies on game day, but friends off the field, the Cascadian Gamers Group is a gathering of supporters of teams across the Pacific Northwest. Originally started in 2014 with a few friends, the group has grown in size and so has our fundraising goal. Since the first event, the team has raised more than $539,000 in total and hopes to raise more than $25,000 for the cause in 2024. Each participating gamer will raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital of their choice. (That means Seattle Children’s Hospital in our hometown of Seattle.) And on Extra Life Game Day on November 2, 2024, everyone involved will spend 25 hours (25 hours due to daylight saving time) playing games and raising money. and offered a number of raffle prizes in exchange. For certain donation levels. Prizes range from gaming consoles to autographed team jerseys and other memorabilia.
In recent years, including this year, the majority of the group has gathered in Seattle to play games together, while other members have come from all over Cascadia to play and stream. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s all worth it to raise money ‘for the kids’.
Extra Life is Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ fundraising program within the gaming community. Participants pledge to raise money throughout the year and play games around the clock with one goal: to save and improve the lives of sick and injured children. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for its 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to children in the United States and Canada. Donations stay local and fund critical treatments and medical services, pediatric medical equipment, and charitable care. This movement was formed by gamers united by passion and committed to saving and improving the lives of local children. Since 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $100 million for member hospitals.
My involvement with Extra Life and Cascadian Gamers began over nine seasons ago. As a Sounders fan, avid gamer, and someone who tries to raise money for charity every season, Extra Life seemed like a no-brainer. Personally, I am very happy to have been able to raise money for Seattle Children’s Hospital. My oldest son, who is on the autism spectrum and has ADHD, has needed many services over the years, which might have been more difficult to obtain without programs like Seattle Children’s Hospital. yeah. Autism Center. My family and so many others depend on such services, so I feel it’s only right that I help in any way I can.
So, I’m going to play games for 25 hours with my friends (who support the North and South Cascadia teams). All for the sake of the children.
Game Day: November 2nd, noon – November 3rd, 12:00 noon
2024 goal: $25,000
Purchasing a $10 ticket gives you a chance to win great prizes like gaming consoles and other unique items (usually “announced” closer to the event date). We’ll have all the cool incentive prizes to be drawn by Cascadian Gamers team members (this year all soccer-related prizes will be incentive prizes from individual participants to ensure only those who want them win). If you love us, cash donations are always appreciated.
To donate: Visit the Cascadian Gamers Extra Life team page and select the participating team member you would like to support. One person or multiple people can donate for raffle tickets.
If you would like to support my personal Extra Life goals, become a friend who rides a majestic translucent horse and shoots fiery arrows across Hemdale Bridge.
Cascadian Gamers on Extra Life: 2024 Event Page
BlueSky’s Cascadian Gamers: @cascadiangamers.bsky.social
Cascadian Gamers on Twitch: https://go.twitch.tv/cascadiangamers
