Gamers Outreach Foundation

Infobox Non-profit
Non-profit_name = Gamers Outreach Foundation
Non-profit_
Non-profit_type = 501(c)(3)
founded_date = 2007
founder =
location = Saline, Michigan
origins =
key_people =
area_served = U.S.A.
product =
focus = To use interactive entertainment and technology in ways that both inspire and better the lives of individuals.
method =
revenue =
endowment =
num_volunteers =
num_employees =
num_members =
subsib =
owner =
Non-profit_slogan =
homepage = http://www.GamersOutreach.org
dissolved =
footnotes =

[http://www.gamersoutreach.org Gamers Outreach Foundation] is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which utilizes video games as tools for charity and community related endeavors. The foundation takes a unique approach towards addressing various community issues by directly using video games in ways that improve the livelihood of others.

History

Gamers Outreach Foundation was founded in 2007; shortly after local public safety officials from Saline, Michigan canceled a Halo 2 tournament planned by the organization’s future founder (and at the time, 11th grade Saline High School student) Zach Wigal, which was to take place in his school’s cafeteria. [Saline Reporter - "Officials Nix Tourney" [http://www.salinereporter.com/stories/012408/loc_20080124004.shtml] ] .

Wigal, along with close friend and future co-founder Nick Russell, spent 3 months planning a large scale Halo 2 tournament for his high school’s student body. The event was expected to draw roughly 300 participants and spectators. After attaining permission to use the high school facilities in December 2006, the two scheduled to host their tournament on March 24th, 2007.

Four days before the scheduled tournament, a local police officer and public safety official (who belonged to the Parents Television Council - an organization which advocates media censorship) heard news of the event, and protested the tournament take place in the high school due to Halo 2’s mature rating and content.

The public safety official quickly contacted the Saline Schools superintendent, opposing the school should allow such an event to take place and ultimately convinced her that (according to a transcript of the voicemail) Halo 2 was, “corrupting the mind’s of America’s youth” and that the game was a “hazard to public safety for all involved.” The official went on to compare the game to other M rated titles such as “Grand Theft Auto” and “25 to Life” stating Halo 2 was another game that “is on our radar screen”. After hearing the official’s concerns, the Saline Schools superintendent canceled the permit that had been granted to Wigal month’s prior, on the grounds of public safety, stating the game was a “hazard to the community”. Though Wigal met with the superintendent, and proposed several compromises to address the concerns of both individuals (such as offering to have parental consent forms at the event for participants under 17 years of age) the superintendent was adamant about canceling the tournament.

The cancellation of the tournament angered many students in the school and caused a controversy within the community, quickly becoming the front page cover story of the town’s newspaper, and then spreading to larger news outlets such as the Ann Arbor News, and Detroit CBS radio station 97.1 FM.

After receiving much encouragement from the gaming community, Wigal and Russell made plans to host a new Halo tournament that would raise money for charity. In the process of planning their new event, the two realized the potential of video games to be used for a multitude of charitable purposes. Thus the two created a non-profit organization called Gamers Outreach Foundation to act as a vessel for charitable video game endeavors.

In the ensuing months, the newly formed Gamers Outreach Foundation prepared for its first kick off event titled “Gamers for Giving”, which was meant to act as the comeback event for Wigal, Russell, and their friends – as well as the kickoff event for future charitable efforts. [ Video game tournament to benefit charity [http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/02/video_game_tournament_to_benef.html] ] .The inaugural event (which was a Halo 3 tournament combined with a PC LAN hosted by one of Michigan’s largest LAN organization MPcon) took place on the weekend of Feb 29th - March 2nd and was considered to be an incredible success - bringing in over 300 participants and spectators. Gross revenue from the event was roughly $15,000 dollars and profits were donated to a local chapter of the Autism Society of America in an effort to promote Autism awareness, outreach, and education.

Also in attendance was Dave Walsh (known as “Walshy” – captain of the Halo 3 professional gaming team Final Boss) who, after enjoying the event, offered his help to Wigal and Russell. Following the event, Walsh was invited to serve on the newly formed board of directors, along with Jeff Lundberg, founder of MPcon.

The foundation is currently managed by a board of directors, which comprises Zach Wigal, Nick Russell, David Walsh, Jeff Lundberg, and Rusty Wigal who acts as treasurer.

Activities

Gamers Outreach Foundation engages in a wide range of charitable and community improvement based endeavors, using video games as a means to solve or ease identified issues. Typically, the foundation utilizes raised funds from donations or events (such as tournaments or LAN parties), which are harnessed by volunteers to address identified needs. In other situations, the foundation will directly use video games (or various forms of interactive entertainment), for some type of community endeavor - such as aiding teachers with various educational programs. Charitable programs and organized community efforts are identified and outlined on the organization’s website.

Funding

The foundation is funded through donations made by supporters, online tournaments, its annual gaming events (such as LAN parties and Gamers for Giving), and partnerships made with various sponsors and businesses.

Events

Gamers Outreach Foundation holds LAN parties as well as an annual video game convention called "Gamers for Giving".

The next one will be February 27th, 28th, and March 1st at Eastern Michigan University

References

External links

* [http://www.GamersOutreach.org Gamers Outreach Foundation "Official website"]