UPEI students and staff game for a good cause

People don't often need a reason to play video or board games, but having one is an added bonus.

Students and staff at UPEIare playing games to raise money for theIWKHealth Centre in Halifax.

The event is called Extra Life, an international 24-hour gaming fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

Hoping for around-the-clock gaming

This year, theUPEI chapter is hosted by the newly formed School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences Society.

Society president Anna Frankfurt said the goal is to raise $200 for the team. Frankfurt said it was mainly pledge-based, but people could donate money themselves if they prefer.

"We're obviously hoping to make that or hopefully exceed it, but it's all depending on donors."

The event started at 3 p.m. on Friday and will continue until 3 p.m. on Saturday. People brought card games, video games, extra consoles and their computers.

Stephanie Cairns, the VP Activities of the society, said they hope to have people there the whole time.

A different way to raise money

Cairns said this event is a way to cater to what they like to do.

"Some people run marathons, some people like to play video games, so it's really just about using different people's skills and people's interests to come together to raise money for such an important charity cause."

"I love playing board games and video games, so to get to do it for a good cause,what more could you ask for?"

Good name for gamers

Matthew White is in his fifth year of thevideo game programming specialization atUPEI. He said he might not be able to make it the whole time because of schoolwork, but he will stay as late as he can.

"What I like about Extra Life is it gives everyone a chance to sort of unwind, especially since it usually falls right after midterms. It's a great chance for people to have a good time, play some video games and we get to raise some money, help out some children's hospitals. It's a good reason to unwind and have some fun."

White said it can also counter some stereotypes.

"A lot of people like to say that gamers are lazy and they don't really do anything, so at least this way we can say 'hey, we're helping children.'"

Money can be donated online by going to extra-life.org and typing in "UPEI School of Math and CS Society."

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