| Founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Zach Wigal |
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Location | |
Area served | Global |
| Website |
gamersoutreach |
Gamers Outreach Foundation (stylized as Gamers Outreach) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides entertainment to hospitalized families through video games. The organization was started in 2007 in response to a canceled Halo tournament. Present-day, Gamers Outreach oversees devices and services to help hospitals manage video game content. The organization works to help families cope with treatment inside hospitals while reinforcing healthcare staff. According to its website, Gamers Outreach programs enable as many as 3 million gaming experiences [1] each year for patients across hundreds of healthcare facilities.
History
In March 2007, more than three hundred individuals had registered to participate in a Halo 2 tournament organized by Saline High School student Zach Wigal. [2]
Still determined to host a tournament, Wigal [3] and his friends began organizing a new event to illustrate the positive impact gamers can make when they come together to play video games. In 2008, Wigal tapped local LAN Party runners MPCon [4][ better source needed] to assist in the collaboration and launch of Gamers for Giving, [5] a competitive gaming tournament and LAN party that provided gamers with an opportunity to participate in gaming activities, while simultaneously raising money for charity.
In the process of planning the new tournament, Gamers Outreach Foundation [6] was established. While the original purpose of the organization was to facilitate Gamers for Giving, the newly founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit began taking on a life of its own.
As interest in Gamers for Giving grew, so did the scope of Gamers Outreach's mission. In 2009, Gamers Outreach began working with C.S. Mott Children's Hospital of Ann Arbor, Michigan, to provide video games to hospitalized children. [7]
Mission statement
The mission statement of Gamers Outreach Foundation is as follows:
- Gamers Outreach is a for-purpose organization helping to restore a sense of joy and normalcy in the lives of hospitalized children. We believe the world is better when kids can play, and gamers have the power to help.
References
- ^ "Gamers Outreach | Helping others level up. Video game charity for kids". Gamers Outreach Foundation. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ "Founding Story: The History of Gamers Outreach". Gamers Outreach Foundation. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ "Zach Wigal". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ Reilly, Kristy. "MPCON XX - Gamers for Giving 2008 - Part 1 of 2". Retrieved 25 March 2023.
- ^ "Gamers For Giving Charity Gaming Event | March 28th & 29th, 2020". Retrieved 2019-10-09.
- ^ "Gamers Outreach Foundation | Helping others level up". Retrieved 2019-10-09.
- ^ Torgan, Allie (2019-03-08). "Seriously ill kids couldn't play video games. So he's bringing the games to them". CNN. Retrieved 2022-02-21.