Voting to select the 2019 CNN Hero of the year has begun! Please vote for Zach Wigal each day here!

Exciting news, friends! CNN has announced their top 10 heroes of the year, and our founder Zach Wigal has been selected!

The selected heroes this year cover a wide variety of charitable causes. One hero brings transformative help to women and children, providing necessities, education and job training to those in an economically depressed city; another provides refurbished RV’s to displaced families after California’s worst wildfire; one provides tools and support to children grieving the loss of a parent or sibling and another shelters the pets of domestic violence victims so that their owners can get back on their feet. These are just some of the ways in which this year’s Top 10 CNN Heroes have dedicated their lives to changing the world.

The Peabody and Emmy Award-winning campaign celebrates individuals who are making extraordinary contributions to help improve the lives of others. Anderson Cooper will be joined by Kelly Ripa as co-host of the 13^th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute. The awards show, which celebrates all Top 10 honorees, will air Sunday, December 8^th at 8pm ET live from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Beginning October 30th, voters can select the ‘CNN Hero of the Year’ by voting for the Top 10 CNN Hero who inspires them the most. Supporters can vote daily at CNNHeroes.com by logging in via email or Facebook. Viewers get 10 votes a day, every day through Tuesday, December 3rd at 11:59pm PT. All 10 daily votes can be cast for one hero or divided among favorites.  This year, viewers can even double their votes by rallying friends on social media.

The 2019 Top 10 CNN Heroes are (in alphabetical order):

• STACI ALONSO (Las Vegas, NV) Alonso’s nonprofit, Noah’s Animal House, located on the grounds of domestic violence shelters, allows women to keep their beloved pets close as they get back on their feet.
• NAJAH BAZZY (Detroit, MI) In one of America’s most economically depressed cities, Bazzy and her nonprofit, Zaman International, bring transformative help to women and children providing basic necessities, education and job training.
• WOODY FAIRCLOTH (Denver, CO) Faircloth and his group, RV4CampfireFamily, deliver free refurbished RVs to displaced families rebuilding their lives after California’s worst wildfire.
• FREWEINI MEBRAHTU (Mekelle, Ethiopia) Mebrahtu along with partner, Dignity Period, is fighting the cultural stigma around menstruation in Ethiopia by educating students and producing reusable pads that help girls stay in school.
• MARK MEYERS (San Angelo, TX) Meyers and his nonprofit, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, are dedicated to rescuing abused and neglected donkeys and giving them a new lease on life.
• RICHARD MILES (Dallas, TX) Wrongfully convicted for a crime he did not commit at age 19, Miles served 15 years in a Texas prison. Now he and his nonprofit, Miles of Freedom, help the formerly incarcerated restart their lives.
• ROGER MONTOYA (Española, NM) In an area of New Mexico hard-hit by the opioid crisis, Montoya provides healing and hope through creative expression at his nonprofit arts center, Moving Arts Española.
• MARY ROBINSON (Mountainside, NJ) Robinson’s nonprofit, Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, provides tools, support and a place to heal for children grieving the loss of a parent or sibling.
• AFROZ SHAH (Mumbai, India) What started as a personal journey to clean one beach turned into the world’s largest volunteer beach clean-up. The Afroz Shah Foundation is on a mission to protect the ocean by clearing trash from beaches and waterways and through education.
• ZACH WIGAL (Ann Arbor, MI) Wigal’s nonprofit, Gamers Outreach, is turning gaming into therapy, bringing the camaraderie and excitement of video games to sick kids who can’t leave their hospital rooms during long-term medical treatment.

Each Top 10 CNN Hero are awarded $10,000 and the ‘CNN Hero of the Year’ will receive an additional $100,000 for their cause. The honorees will also receive free capacity-building training from the Annenberg Foundation, a leading supporter of nonprofits worldwide. They will participate in a customized version of the Annenberg Alchemy program in Los Angeles, CA, which offers leadership development to help strengthen organizations for long-term success.  This is the eighth year of CNN’s collaboration with the Annenberg Foundation.

“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” will stream live for subscribers on December 8th via CNNgo (at CNN.com/go and via CNNgo apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Chromecast, Samsung Smart TV and Android TV) and on the CNN mobile apps for iOS and Android. “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” will also be available the day after the broadcast premieres on demand via cable/satellite systems, CNNgo platforms and CNN mobile apps.

Last but certainly not least, WE NEED YOUR HELP! As mentioned earlier, the Hero of the Year award is given to the charity with the most votes. Securing this epic win would mean the world for our team, as well as the kids and families we support in hospitals. Your vote is needed to bring home the trophy! This award is a representation of the joy games can bring to people in hospitals around the world. We’re asking for your vote and help to spread the word!

Vote here each day and let’s help others level up!

###

The portable, medical-grade video game kiosks help nurses provide bedside activities to children unable to leave their hospital room

CHICAGO, Thursday, September 19, 2019 — Lightstream, an innovator in live streaming technology, delivered two GO Karts, portable, medical-grade video game kiosks, to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago on August 6, 2019. These GO Karts were made possible through sponsorship and funds raised at Gamers Outreach’s annual fundraising event Gamers for Giving. A short video documenting the hospital delivery and history of Lightstream’s involvement with the charity can be viewed here.

Lightstream has been a proud supporter of Gamers for Giving since the company was founded, and has increased its involvement and sponsorship each year. As the title sponsor in 2019, Lightstream helped streamers raise enough money for dozens of Karts and even one of their own. A second Kart was donated through Lightstream’s community manager Brandon Stennis (IAmBrandon on Twitch) who participated as a streamer and raised the money from his viewers. Additionally, Lightstream matched donations for Mixer streamer ActaBunniFooFoo to raise enough for one Kart to be delivered to a hospital of his choice.

 

“Since the beginning, the Lightstream founders wanted to use our company to give back. Having been friends of Zach and Gamers Outreach for years, we became a small sponsor of the Streamer Zone at Gamers for Giving during our very first year of business with the goal of multiplying the streamers and Lightstream’s fundraising impact,” said Stu Grubbs, Lightstream CEO. “Every year we have increased that sponsorship as we were more successful and in 2019, we were proud to be the title sponsor for the event. While we have helped raise money for many karts over the years, 2019 was even more rewarding as we participated in our first hospital delivery and saw the real impact the karts and the organization have on these children and families. It feels special to take our love for gaming, our hard work on Lightstream, and use that to have an impact on so many lives.”

Gamers Outreach constructs portable, medical-grade video game kiosks called “GO Karts” (Gamers Outreach Karts). These kiosks enable nurses to easily provide bedside activities to children unable to leave their rooms in hospitals. Each GO Kart is equipped with a gaming console, monitor, and an assortment of games. The carts provide a safe, flexible, and efficient way to ensure kids have access to entertainment and coping mechanisms during long-term hospitalization. Each unit also has an internal lift mechanism, which allows healthcare staff to adjust the GO Kart to a patient’s bedside, accommodating a variety of medical scenarios which may limit a patient’s mobility.

In 2019 Gamers for Giving surpassed its goal generating nearly $640,000 in support of Gamers Outreach programs. They estimate these funds will help them support an additional 398,000 children and families. Since its inception in 2008, Gamers for Giving has become one of the largest LAN parties in North America. The weekend-long competitive gaming tournament, LAN party, and streamathon raises money through sponsorships, ticket sales, and donations from stream broadcasts to help fund Gamers Outreach programs year-to-year, including the GO Kart Program which provides entertainment devices to hospitalized children.

“We believe it’s important for Gamers for Giving to exist,” said Zach Wigal, Founder of Gamers Outreach.

“The event has become part of our cultural identity – it’s a chance for gamers to combine their passion for gaming with charitable action. It’s a live demonstration of what the community is capable of when we come together in service of others.”

For pictures from the ceremony please click here. 

Be sure to follow Lightstream on Twitter and at https://www.golightstream.com.
Follow Gamers Outreach on Twitter, instagram and Facebook. 

 

About Lightstream

Lightstream is a Chicago-based startup built with a true passion for live video production, gaming and supporting the explosive growth of creators and their communities. Its cloud-based technology and products transform difficult technical hurdles into streamlined workflows. Lightstream empowers creators to effortlessly share their passion, talent, and creativity on live streaming platforms like Mixer, Twitch, Facebook, YouTube and more.

About Gamers Outreach

Founded in 2007, Gamers Outreach is a 501(c)(3) charity organization that provides equipment, technology, and software to help kids cope with treatment inside hospitals. We aim to inspire and heal patients through the power of interactive play.

# # #

Media Contact:

Wendy Knowles
Lightstream
wendy@golightstream.com
(813) 447-9035

Ian Carr
Gamers Outreach
icarr@gamersoutreach.org
(203) 209-1203

Another Dev Team update to share, fellow gamers! This week, we’re excited to welcome Christie St. Martin to the Gamers Outreach family!

The Dev Team is our (growing) advisory board, created to support directors and staff within Gamers Outreach. Each member helps lead development efforts which expand the impact of Gamers Outreach programs. Their involvement provides our team with valuable third-party perspective on internal discussions, and their passion for our cause helps rally community action.

Our intent is to cultivate this advisory board to be comprised of professionals from a wide range of disciplines (both within and outside the gaming industry). A few key qualities guide our consideration of candidates. Dev Team members must be/have…

• Senior-level professionals with experience working in gaming, medical, or corporate environments.
• Record of securing grants, sponsorship, or external resources for programs, corporate initiatives, or services.
• Demonstrated excellence in forming relationships that advanced a particular program, company, or cause.
• Exemplary leadership skills. Dev Team members must be able to foster a team environment and work collaboratively when necessary.
• Dev Team members are effective communicators, able to identify areas for improvement, and help advance the organization’s mission.

Christie is a former competitive Counter-Strike player who has over a decade and a half of marketing and strategy experience under her belt. Notably she has managed social media communities and produced content for companies like J.P. Morgan Chase, L’Oréal, and Viacom. She has built social and creative marketing strategies for clients like Twitch, Samsung, Microsoft, Epic Games, and PUBG. Christie is currently the gaming director at IMC, an experience studio that creates extraordinary audience engagements for the world’s best known brands. She is also on the advisory board for Hallid.ai AI Gaming, the developers of Fridai, an AI powered virtual gaming assistant.

Christie joins Gamers Outreach with a unique perspective, having experienced the healing power of games firsthand.

“I have been a passionate supporter of Gamers Outreach before being asked to join the team and I am thrilled to help support them from this side of the table now. One of the many reasons why their initiative speaks to me, other than being a mom of two, is because I spent a large portion of my life in my late teens and early adulthood being very ill. During that time, gaming gave me the building blocks that laid the foundation for reconstructing my confidence and passion for life. I was a lifelong gamer but the rest of my life felt like it was on pause for years. I think gaming often gets the bad rap of being just another form of escapism but for me it was a solitary window to the rest of the world. I was able to conquer complex challenges, complete achievements, and be with a community of people who didn’t treat me like I wasn’t different or sick. Games made me feel like I was capable of anything. Not only do I fondly remember that time of my life despite what I was going through, but without those years I am not sure I would have the career or opportunities I have today.

Gaming was a passion for my whole life and now I get to spend every day doing what I love. Unlocking achievements, solving puzzles, completing challenges and learning to lead and/or be a part of a team developed skills for me as a kid that were so important and powerful that I incorporate those learnings into my adult life and career every day. Whether I’m building a marketing strategy or assembling a team for a project, I utilize the skills that were honed in games. Whether your kid will be the next Ninja or not, gaming offers opportunities for children. It fuels entertainment born passion and helps inform their professional career choices later in life and that is a magical thing.”

When asked about the value of Gamers Outreach programs, Christie had this to say…

“Gamers Outreach gives kids much more than just a form of entertainment in a hospital setting. It gives them the ability to solve strategic puzzles, reach goals, and have a sense of community. These things are an enrichment to their life which right now might feel like it’s on pause. I will always continue to advocate for hitting the reset button on how mainstream culture perceives time spent on gaming. I know personally how important it was for my growth, education, confidence, and continues to give me opportunities as an adult. Now I get to take on the challenge to help change kids’ lives and I am so proud to be a part of this incredible team.”

We’re thrilled to have Christie on The Dev Team, and look forward to working with her to expand the impact of our programs. Please join us in welcoming her to the crew!

Applications can be submitted here.

Wonderful news to share, gaming family! WE ARE HIRING!

Gamers Outreach Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that helps thousands of hospitalized children benefit from the power of interactive play. As witnesses ourselves, it’s clear digital recreation creates a sense of joy and relief for children undergoing medical treatment.

Each day, healthcare professionals rely on entertainment as a means for improving a child’s quality of life. But finding the resources to deploy hardware or manage content can prove challenging amidst other priorities. We believe gamers are capable of filling the void.

Simultaneously, we’ve seen an increase in activity among content creators (and their respective communities) who are eager to make a difference. Our intent is to ensure streamers are empowered to engage with Gamers Outreach programs, and we want to prove their impact along the way.

We are seeking a Community Program Manager to engage our volunteer network and serve as a front-facing resource for Gamers Outreach supporters. This person will be responsible for overseeing our volunteer community and nurturing relationships with content creators.

This is a dual purpose role that requires a mix of skills. The ideal candidate is a “people person” with a finely tuned awareness of gaming culture. Reporting to our Marketing Director, this person will work alongside the Executive Director and Operations Director to become an expert on the organization’s programmatic work. The Community Program Manager will be a steward of existing volunteers and streamers, responsible for fostering a network of engaged and inspired supporters.

We’re looking for a high energy team player who is capable of working autonomously to materialize our vision through the power of community. This is a remote position.

Read below for the specific responsibilities! We’ll begin initial discussions with qualified candidates the week of September 1st, 2019. Applications can be submitted here.

Role: Community Program Manager

Responsibilities:

• Partner with Operations Director to implement and oversee “Player 2” initiative in healthcare facilities. Foster and refine program implementation strategy while tracking key growth and impact metrics.
• Grow and lead our volunteer community. Employ a coaching mentality to support volunteer engagement and activity. Define and personally manage best practices for volunteer recruitment and retention.
• Cultivate our relationships with hospital partners. Conduct semi-regular audits to assess Gamers Outreach impact and overall program effectiveness / status.
• In partnership with Development & Marketing teams, become point of contact for streamers / content creators. Support the development and execution of annual “Gamers for Giving” fundraiser. Create meaningful content and reporting that connects streamers and their communities with our work and their impact. Launch and nurture ambassador program.
• Lead the creation of annual events pipeline, working closely with marketing to create a integrated plan that drives revenue and awareness of Gamers Outreach programs.
• Assist Marketing with content production across digital platforms (e.g. blog posts, community events, podcasts, video interviews).

Must- Haves

• 3 – 5 years of community management / digital marketing experience
• Strong interpersonal and communication (written and oral) skills with the ability to work well cross-functionally and interact with internal / external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success managing and growing online communities for brands and/or consumer goods companies.
• Natural on-camera personality. Comfortable fielding interview requests and appearances, representing Gamers Outreach programs.
• Deep knowledge of streaming platforms (Twitch, YouTube, Mixer) and their respective communities.
• The ideal candidate is a video game enthusiast with a passion for making a difference in the world. This person believes in the cause of Gamers Outreach.
• Experience as a content creator or managing creative teams (photographers, agencies, graphic designers, videographers). The ideal candidate has technical streaming knowledge.
• Solid expertise in all areas of marketing strategy development including customer targeting, brand strategy, integrated communications planning, brand and corporate partnerships, campaign measurement and optimization, digital and social media strategy and analytics.
• Ability to travel 15% – 25% of the time (domestically)
• Strong understanding of technology and software pertinent to the role.
• Preference for a candidate that has experience working with video game content creators.

Skills

• You take initiative.
  You see something that needs improvement and you take action. You propose solutions to problems. You have a proven ability to plan, lead, implement and track projects from concept through implementation. You’re proactive about making sure various departments have the information they need about your projects. You work well autonomously.
• You know what you’re doing.
  You’re a born people person with a proven track record managing a high performing community function. You’re a true community generalist with a broad range of hands-on experience. You have a strong understanding of the online gaming community and a deep understanding of all today’s online community channels (e.g. email, marketing automation, social media, display, affiliate, stream platforms). You can handle just about anything that comes your way.
• You’re a communications ace.
  You know that the secret to success is keeping people in the know. You not only know what to communicate but when, how and why it’s important. You possess exceptional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills. You love bringing out the best in others.
• You’re big hearted.
  You take pride in being a do-gooder and live with a sense of altruism in your personal and professional life. You have a genuine concern for others and want to make the world a better place.
• You’re a leader.
  Community leadership and participation (both online and offline) are integral to the success of this role. An essential component of this role is communicating the Gamers Outreach brand and those we represent in a positive, authentic way.

Benefits

Working at Gamers Outreach comes with a variety of benefits! FTEs can expect the following:

• Retirement
  • 401k / Roth IRA and employer match.
• Healthcare 
  • Top notch healthcare coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield (PPO).
  • Dental & Vision included.
  • Direct family included (spouse / children).
• Flexible Time Off
  • Unlimited vacation policy. Just make sure your work is done!
  • Paid holidays.
  • Remote work environment. 
• Weekly Staff Gaming Session
  • Time allotment for gaming on Friday afternoon with co-workers.
• Sabbatical
  • After 4 years employees are encouraged to take a 4 – 6 week paid sabbatical to pursue their personal goals or learn new skills. 
• Pet / Child Friendly
  • Boarding / Babysitter expense account when traveling for Gamers Outreach.

Great news to share, Gamers Outreach supporters! Today we’re thrilled to welcome video game industry veteran Kristin “Batgirl” Reilly to our Dev Team!

The Dev Team is our (growing) advisory board, created to support directors and staff within Gamers Outreach. Each member helps lead development efforts which expand the impact of Gamers Outreach programs. Their involvement provides our team with valuable third-party perspective on internal discussions, and their passion for our cause helps rally community action.

Our intent is to cultivate this advisory board to be comprised of professionals from a wide range of disciplines (both within and outside the gaming industry). A few key qualities guide our consideration of candidates. Dev Team members must be/have…

• Senior-level professionals with experience working in gaming, medical, or corporate environments.
• Record of securing grants, sponsorship, or external resources for programs, corporate initiatives, or services.
• Demonstrated excellence in forming relationships that advanced a particular program, company, or cause.
• Exemplary leadership skills. Dev Team members must be able to foster a team environment and work collaboratively when necessary.
• Dev Team members are effective communicators, able to identify areas for improvement, and help advance the organization’s mission.

In some ways, we owe the existence of Gamers Outreach to Kristin. 12 years ago, Kristin was leading a gaming podcast which covered a canceled Halo tournament organized by a group of high school students from Michigan (sound familiar?). It was thanks in part to her initial advocacy Gamers Outreach became a widespread movement.

Before joining the video game industry, Kristin worked in one of Oregon’s largest emergency departments for several years. She brought her unique background and perspective with her as she transitioned into the world of tech.

For the last 20 years, Kristin has held positions with companies like Hewlett Packard, CBS Interactive, Microsoft, and several startups. She’s been a pioneer in the space, helping to grow community fan bases for games and gaming products.

On joining Gamers Outreach, Kristin had this to say…

“When a child is in the hospital their life has changed drastically, having been pulled from friends, school, activities. [Hospital] worlds are new, sterile, and often frightening. I’ve experienced firsthand the difference it makes when a child has access to a part of their old routine, to something that transports them to a new world or gives them new experiences.

I am thrilled to be able to work with Gamers Outreach, bridging two passions of mine together to give children in clinical settings a chance to feel like a kid again, a sense of normalcy, and a feeling of belonging. I’ve watched Gamers Outreach grow from an initial idea Zach had (Gamers Outreach founder) into the wonderful organization it is today, and I am delighted to join the Dev Team. I’m excited and grateful to have this opportunity to help Gamers Outreach expand, grow, and continue its work improving and supporting children in need”.

So, without further ado – please join us in welcoming Kristin! We’re excited to continue helping others level up with her aboard!

ESL LAUNCHES “GAMING FOR GOOD” INITIATIVE, STARTING WITH GAMERS OUTREACH PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE CHILDREN IN HOSPITALS ACCESS TO VIDEOGAMES

Under “Gaming for Good” Initiative, ESL Will Donate A Portion of Intel® Extreme Masters Chicago Ticket Sales To Gamers Outreach 

Cologne, Germany – July 11, 2019 – ESL, the world’s largest esports company, today announced a partnership with Gamers Outreach, a charity organization providing gaming equipment, technology, and software to help children and teenagers cope with treatments in hospitals, as part of ESL’s new “Gaming for Good” initiative. Together, ESL and Gamers Outreach will launch an awareness, fundraising, exhibition, and integrated campaign in conjunction with Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Chicago on July 20-21, which will continue with various ESL events in the future.

ESL’s brand purpose is to create a world where everybody can be somebody. ESL is committed to using its position as the world’s largest esports company to demonstrate how gaming and esports can benefit great causes and organizations, such as Gamers Outreach.

“‘Gaming for Good’ is a natural progression to fulfill our brand purpose, and I believe it is important that industry leaders like ESL set the tone and use their brand for the good of society,” said Rodrigo Samwell, Chief Marketing Officer, ESL. “Partnering with Gamers Outreach will allow ESL to support children in hospitals, where gaming can help serve as a connection to the outside world, the motivation to fight a condition, and dream to become somebody. We are committed to working with Gamers Outreach to create awareness and fundraising campaigns that supports the organization’s programs through IEM Chicago and beyond. We call upon all gamers and esports athletes to join us at IEM Chicago to use gaming for good.”

Starting on July 11, ESL will host an IEM Chicago ticket fundraiser, where up to $10 from each ticket sold will be donated directly to Gamers Outreach. In addition, Gamers Outreach will have an exhibit booth onsite at IEM Chicago, where fans will have the opportunity to learn more about the charity and find out how they can volunteer. ESL and Gamers Outreach will also explore opportunities through Gamers Outreach’s Project GO Kart and Player 2 initiatives, in which volunteers build and deliver custom game stations for children that are unable to leave their hospital rooms during treatment and recovery. 

“As longtime esports enthusiasts, our team is beyond excited to work with ESL in a formal capacity,” said Zach Wigal, Founder, Gamers Outreach. “Hospitalization can often be a lonely, isolating experience for patients receiving treatment, but on a daily basis, we see the incredible impact games have on the lives of families. Video games are tools that help normalize healthcare environments, and our organization is committed to making video game content available and easy to manage. Games help produce a sense of joy, facilitate socialization, and can even assist with treatment. This partnership with ESL is an incredible opportunity for the community to make a difference in the lives of gamers receiving medical care. We’re proud to work with the team at ESL to raise awareness and support for Gamers Outreach programs.”

Much like ESL’s grassroots beginnings, Gamers Outreach was founded by a group of high school gamers near Ann Arbor, Michigan while volunteering at local hospitals. ESL will help to raise awareness and proceeds to support Gamers Outreach and their network of nearly 200 hospitals and more than 1.25 million children.

The partnership with Gamers Outreach is part of ESL’s “Gaming for Good” commitment to its current and planned corporate social responsibility initiatives. Gamers Outreach fundraiser tickets for IEM Chicago will go on sale on July 11. To purchase these tickets, please visit the IEM Chicago 2019 ticketing page and follow @ESL and @GamersOutreach on Twitter for the latest updates. 

###

About ESL

ESL is the world’s largest esports company. Founded in 2000, ESL has been shaping the industry across the most popular video games with numerous online and offline competitions. It operates high profile, branded international leagues and tournaments such as ESL One, Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL Pro League and other top tier stadium-size events, as well as ESL National Championships, grassroots amateur cups and matchmaking systems, defining the path from zero to hero as short as possible. With offices all over the world, ESL is leading esports forward on a global scale. ESL is a part of MTG, the leading international digital entertainment group. https://about.eslgaming.com/

Gamers Outreach is a 501(c)(3) charity organization that provides recreation to children in hospitals through the power of video games and the gaming community. Hospitalization can often be a lonely, isolating, and scary experience for young people. Gamers Outreach eases those burdens through equipment, technology, and software that help kids cope with long-term treatment. More information can be found at www.GamersOutreach.org.

Quick update, Gamers Outreach supporters! We’ve joined Epic’s Support-a-Creator program!

Epic’s Support-A-Creator program enables Creators to earn money from Fortnite and games in the Epic games store. In this special instance, when you use creator code “GamersOutreach” for your Epic Games purchases – you’re supporting Gamers Outreach programs!

We’re excited to be one of the first charities involved with Epic’s Support-A-Creator program. Below are some games that allow you to support our initiatives simply by using the code…

• Fortnite – Use Creator Code: GamersOutreach when purchasing in-game items
• Borderlands 3
• City of Brass
• Control
• Cyberpunk 2077
• Dangerous Driving
• Dauntless
• Far Cry Primal
• Flower
• John Wick Hex
• Journey
• Oxygen Not Included
• Rime
• Rollercoaster Tycoon Adventure
• Subnautica: Below Zero
• Super Meat Boy
• The Packbox Party Pack
• The Walking Dead Series
• Ghost Recon Breakpoint
• Ghost Recon Wildlands
• The Division 2
• Vampyr
• Watch Dogs: Legion
• World War z
• World of GOO
• And many, many more!

Happy gaming, and remember to use code GamersOutreach!

During last year’s E3, we had the opportunity to partner with the team at Xbox in support of Gamers Outreach programs. Ticket sales from Xbox FanFest generated $20,000, enabling us to build a fleet of GO Karts for UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.  Additionally, Aaron Greenberg led a fundraising campaign in memory of Xbox Addict, which helped us place a GO Kart in Phoenix Children’s Hospital, honoring his legacy.

This year we sat down with the Xbox team and asked: how can we make an even greater impact, not just in Los Angeles, but around the country? And how can fans be more a part of this work?

With that in mind, we’re ecstatic to share Gamers Outreach will be attending E3 2019 as the official charity partner of Xbox FanFest! Gamers Outreach founder Zach Wigal and Xbox FanFest lead Chris Munson recently unveiled news of the relationship, as well as our plans to fulfill GO Kart requests for current hospitals on the Gamers Outreach waiting list. You can catch the full segment below.

Proceeds from Xbox FanFest ticket sales will fund Gamers Outreach programs. This year however, the resources of the community will have a coast-to-coast impact.

Additionally, Xbox will be selling specially designed Xbox FanFest avatar shirts. Sales from these digital goods will also help raise funds in support of GO Karts for our hospital waiting list. We are happy to announce those shirts are available starting today! Between June 3 – 14, the two shirts in the Xbox Avatar store, which closely resemble the official Black and White E3 FanFest t-shirts, will be available for purchase. This coveted item will only be available for this limited time, so make sure you get yours while they’re available!

Finally, as part of this effort, we’re encouraging Xbox fans to register as volunteers on the Gamers Outreach website. When the time comes to deliver these GO Karts, we’ll need gamers around the country to help support each unit and assemble them once they’ve arrived to their designated hospitals.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Xbox family for inviting us to be a part of their Xbox FanFest plans for another year. We’re looking forward to a spectacular E3, and can’t wait to see the impact of the gaming community fully realized!

For a long time now, Gamers Outreach Karts (GO Karts) have been loosely associated with racing through name alone. We refer to volunteers as members of our “race crew,” and send “tune up kits” to hospitals when new games need installed on deployed units.

Today, we’re excited to share our official entry into the world of ACTUAL racing. Gamers Outreach is partnering with professional racing consultancy / karting team Phil Giebler Racing (PGR) in support of providing entertainment to hospitalized patients!

Based in Anaheim, California – PGR was established in 2010 to bring higher, more professional standards to karting, with the goal of developing young and emerging talent in tomorrow’s IndyCar, NASCAR, and Formula 1 drivers.

For those unfamiliar with the world of racing: karting is the bedrock for most all professional drivers. It’s through karting young racers develop the necessary skills to compete in professional class events (just like Forza, but in real life).

We’ll be working with the PGR team to raise awareness and funding in support of Gamers Outreach programs during an assortment of their upcoming events – one of which included their 2019 kickoff with 2009 Formula 1 world champion, Jenson Button (see video below)!

What’s more: one of the team’s drivers, Nicky Hays, is repping Gamers Outreach on his Formula 4 vehicle as he works his way to the top of the racing ladder throughout Europe and here in the states! We’ll be posting about Nicky’s racing accomplishments occasionally on social, because honestly, how cool is it knowing the Gamers Outreach logo is on a race car!?

We’re proud to share the PGR crew has already funded a GO Kart through their 2019 kickoff event, and we can’t wait to deliver the unit to a hospital in SoCal!

We’re excited to see this crossover integration develop, and look forward to being a part of PGR events! If you’re ever interested in joining us at the track, drop a line over to our contact@ box with the subject line “Let’s race!” We’re hoping to organize a few track days with our supporters in the future!

A big thanks go out to the PGR crew for supporting our work in hospitals. We hope to see you on the grid!

Back in January, Cizzorz of FaZe Clan (known recently for his Fortnite “Death Runs”) powered up his Twitch stream to announce he’d be hosting a charity marathon in support of Gamers Outreach programs. His goal? Build as many GO Karts for UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital as possible.

After a 12+ hour broadcast, Cizzorz and his community not only created a new Fortnite run, but generated $18,251 for Gamers Outreach! That amount was enough to build 5 GO Karts, capable of supporting 11,000 children per year!

Just a few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to visit UCLA Mattel where Cizzorz had the chance to see his fundraising efforts come to fruition. A group of kids waited eagerly in the hospital’s teen center – ready to game – aware they were being visited by a special guest. With a smile from ear to ear, Cizzorz walked through the door and not only saw his community’s GO Karts, but shared in the joy of gaming with children at the hospital.

The portability of GO Karts allow them to go from room to room – a huge perk for patients who are stuck during long term treatment. Cizzorz was able to meet with a young man named Jack, who’s currently going through such an experience, and also happens to be really good at Rocket League.

Kelli Carroll, a Child Life program director at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital tells us “this is why gaming is really important for our patients – it provides distraction, a creative outlet and social interaction (be it online or in person) for kids who are unable to physically be present in our play spaces”.

Our team is incredibly grateful to do this work, and it’s wonderful to be able to bring content creators like Cizzorz into the hospital environment to spread the sense of community games are capable of facilitating.

Big thanks to the team at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital for helping to host this visit, and of course, to Cizzorz and his community for the epic GO Kart delivery! GG WP.