Gamers for Giving, 2010

Briarwood Mall- Ann Arbor, MI

Yesterday was the most fun I've had in a long time. From an operational standpoint, Zach Wigal had single handedly managed a multi-faceted staff of media and administrative volunteers to pull off yet another successful event: their annual Gamers for Giving fundraiser. Free gaming and raffle prizes were but a few of the many attractions this year.

More than 200 gamers were in attendance, both as competitors in their Halo 3 and Modern Warfare 2 tournaments as well as spectators to the ensuing shinanigans. Special industry guests included Totz, a Major League Gaming pro from the Halo 3 team Final Boss, and the Modern Warfare 2 pro gamer- HastrO.

Aside from the local gaming celebrities, it was great to see the good ol' GOF staff again, not to mention meet the new faces to the organization. Stefanie Shea and Elaine Beemer, of Fun for our Troops and Gaming4Others, respectively, were among the brand new additions beneath the Gamers Outreach cause. Over the past few months, all three organizations merged into one beneath the Gamers Outreach identity to focus their efforts and collaborate to make an even stronger impact as non profit charities. The Fun for Our Troops initiative is responsible for collecting video game donations to send to soldiers stationed overseas, while Gamine4Others handles online tournaments that use their proceeds to support philanthropic causes as well. Another honorable mention involves meeting Ben McDougal, founder of the social networking site Gathering of Gamers.

I'll add more photos and content as it becomes available.

-Mexx