For the eighth straight year, I have enrolled to participate in Extra Life, the 24-hour gaming charity event to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. And once again, I have opted to support the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland, Maine.
Last year, we raised $370 dollars for the hospital – 100% of all donations go directly to the hospital to help sick and injured kids. This year I’m opening my fundraiser earlier in the year in hopes of hitting a fundraising goal of $1,000
This organization has become a really special part of my life. A few years ago, I wrote a blog about why I participate in the program. I encourage you to check it out if you’re interested in all the details, but to summarize: I was a patient at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital as a kid and after I discovered Extra Life, I saw it as an opportunity to give back to the organization that saved my life.
Since joining Extra Life, finding ways to help children has become something of a mission of mine, but I’ve mostly been on this journey alone. In 2022, I’m hoping to be more involved in the community and hopefully crush this fundraising goal.
Part of the reason I’ve been so reluctant to be more involved until this point was because as a dad, an author, and a full-time worker, it’s difficult to find time to game. So, this year I’m thinking of incorporating my writing into part of the fundraising process and writing a gaming-inspired short story and use the proceeds to donate to the campaign.
I would also love to get more writers involved in this project and maybe we can put together an anthology of short stories? I may also consider putting a signed copy of my novel up on ebay to raise funds. I’m also open to more ideas. Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions on great ways to raise money for this great cause.
Also, if you can spare a dollar or two (no donation is too big or too small), please consider donating to my Extra Life campaign and follow me on Facebook and Twitter, or sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date on our fundraising progress.
Tim Koster 