Jinked

So, since Friday, I’ve been following a live USTREAM cast of these guys called The Speed Gamers, a group of college-age gamers that get together pretty frequently and have video game marathons.  The kicker is that through these marathons they raise money for different charities.  In the past they’ve helped charities like St. Jude’s, The Lupus Foundation of America and Susan G. Komen.  This time around The Speed Gamers are gaming for ACT Today.

“What’s the marathon now?” you ask.  Why it’s none other than a 7-day run of Final Fantasy I through XII.  The initial goal was 20K. The total raised so far? $35,000.

And there are still 2 days left to meet the new and improved, lofty $50,000 goal.

I seriously think these guys can do it.  They’re entertaining.  They’re charismatic.  And most of all, they all have really good hearts.  They’re so dedicated to this cause and doing some pretty outlandish things to rev people up and open their wallets ACT Today.  Drinking Vegimite shakes.  Doing barrel rolls.  One incident involved pepper spray, but I missed that one.  It’s awesome stuff.  Obviously so. Since day one they’ve been on the front page of USTREAM and drawing in as many as 20,000 viewers.

I love stories like this that spring up from time to time in the gaming community.  We’re not all socially inept people who are looking to shoot up the local school or steal the guy’s car down the street.  We are people with sound minds and good hearts.  We’re awesome people who thrive in strong, giving communities, like the ones that The Speed Gamers have helped cultivate.

Over the past 5 days I’ve gotten to know these  guys: Britt, Phil, Gwellin and countless others.  They’re all awesome.  They all deserve a big pat on the back and a loud shout on the internet.

GUYS, YOU ROCK!  And I’m glad I could help your cause.