“Have you ever been told that you’re wasting your time playing video games?,” Senior Coordinator for Residence Life and Student Conduct Andy Hanson said. “Now is your time to reach out to the people that have told you that and ask for a donation so that you can be heroes and help save children’s lives.”

Residence Life and Student Conduct at California Lutheran University sponsored its third annual Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon from Nov. 2 – Nov. 3 in support of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

As of Nov. 4, the team has raised $440 of the $1,000 goal. The team will be taking donations until Dec. 31, 2018.

A group of 10 students brought their own games to the event, which included video games, card games and board games. Students were invited to the Student Union to play games for 24 hours, but they were not required to stay the entire time.

“It was going for a good cause and [Hanson] had asked me to do it before. I was always too busy and I figured it was my last year, so why not,” Thompson Hall and Kramer Court senior RA Ramsey Khader said.

Hanson said he started Team California Lutheran University in hopes of reaching a $1,000 donation goal.

“I thought that it would be a really great opportunity to bring Cal Lutheran’s gam[ing] community together for a great cause to raise money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” Hanson said.

This fundraiser drew in donations from family, friends and other supporters of the cause. Hanson also allowed people to sponsor him so supporters could watch a livestream of his gaming and donate by the hour.

“I hope that people will kind of see like a fun way to fundraise for a really good cause,” junior Tiarra Ray said. “We’re not just gaming for 24 hours—we’re supporting a cause for kids in hospitals.”

According to the Extra Life website, donations go toward funding of critical treatments, healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care.

The first year, the gaming team surpassed their $1,000 goal and raised $1,203. The second year, Hanson raised all the money by himself, totaling $205.

Ray said those who were unable to join the gaming event this year but are interested in joining Team California Lutheran University can join next year’s team.

“It’s a program where you get to meet other people that also support this cause and you’re really benefiting them,” Ray said.

Donations can be made on the Extra Life website through Dec. 31, 2018.

Leanna Kontos
Reporter