Gamers Giving

In December 2006, Zak Wigel, walked into Saline Community Education Department and requested to use the gym to set up a Halo Tournament to raise money. He wanted to host a video gaming tournament to host a Halo Tournament. They got approved months in advance to use the gym. Zak put in $600.00 of his own money. After months of planning, two weeks before the tournament, in March, Zak was told to CANCEL THE TOURNAMENT!!

Read the entire history of how Gamers for Charity evolved. You can also listen to the podcast, it is a fascinating story. After making the Ann Arbor News and circulating on the internet with over 1800 diggs and 200 comments, they made history.

The purpose of this post is to announce a new tournament where they are raising money for Autism. The next tournament will be held at Eastern Michigan University on February 29th through March 2nd. You can register on line at mpcon.org. 

Directions to the event at EMU are: 900 Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti, MI. EMU student Center48197

All the monies raised will go the Autism Foundation of Washtenaw County. Gamers for Giving and the Gamers Outreach have a goal to raise over $7500.00 for the Autism Foundation. With over 500 people expected to attend, let’s cheer them on in this noble endeavor.

If you would like to be involved by chaperoning, donating, getting the word out, you can reach them at volunteer@gamersoutreach.org 


*Zak, as your parents Realtor, I am so proud of you, what a fantastic entrepreneur you are, I can see this exploding all over the country.*

 

 
This post has been included in Michigan Information Washtenaw County, MI Information Ypsilanti, MI Information
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism

23 Comments on Gamers for Autism Tournament February 29th-March 2nd

FEB
20
2008
452,225 Points 28 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Missy, What a wonderful cause.  The statistics are so high for Autism and these people need so much care; I believe one day down the road they will find out if the vaccines are contributing to it and be able to help the children more.
8:10pm • #1
202,321 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Missy - This sounds like a wonderful way to draw attention to a terrible disorder.  Autism was a phantom disability for so long, and now it's getting the attention it needs.  I hope that this effort provides a medium for even more research and advances.
8:55pm • #2
1 Featured Post Hit Router
Missy, I had heard about this situation and glad to hear the fundraiser has a new home.
9:01pm • #3
226,895 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Cool story Missy. Zak has got the right stuff. Seems like I'm following you around tonight. Just visited Neal and saw you just left right before we got there.

Rock on...

9:31pm • #4
422,978 Points 36 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Missy,

Getting those 'at the periphery' involved in the community is always admirable!!! Thanks,   Fran

9:57pm • #5
317,241 Points 64 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Missy~ 

I have clients whose life's work has been to enhance the quality of life of autistic children. I am going to send your-post on over to them! THANK YOU so much.

10:48pm • #6
FEB
21
2008
105,770 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Missy, I hope this event will raise a lot of money for this worthy organization.  Hope that your blog will highlight the need for involvement. 
1:14am • #7
254,869 Points 44 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Zak sounds like an amazing young man.  I bet the Halo Tournament will be a huge success!  My boys certainly would have gone to it.
6:25am • #8
110,262 Points
Way to go Zak! What an incredible person he is. I can see this exploding across the country as well. His parents must be very proud of the son they raised.
7:19am • #9
390,677 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Missy my grandson in Indy would be all over this he is an avid halo player. What a great idea get them out of the house meeting real people and still getting to play the game they enjoy.
8:32am • #10
278,613 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Missy, this is fascinating!  I went to all of the links and still don't quite understand all of the gaming itself but what an incredible young man and a great idea for a way to help others.  I will keep it in mind for my non-profits!
8:44am • #11
Missy - My son was going to be part of that first tournament, and was angered when it was cancelled.  But, that's water under the bridge.  He's happy now that the tournament has a new life.
9:52am • #12

While reading the history of Zak's trials last year with his permit being pulled at the 11th hour. It really made me mad that some grand stander could and would step in and have a hand in something like that. However after some thought and cooling off, it seems that if this incident did'nt happen the gamers for giving outreach may never have been started. Kudos to Zak, keep up the good work.

10:21am • #13
415,373 Points 48 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Missy,

I've missed reading your stuff, but here I am again.  Your site takes 15 seconds to load, and then each page takes another 10-12 seconds.  When I submit this comment, I'll wait that length of time again before I can go on to another site.  I'm wondering if Snapshots is the reason.  I have the same problem with other bloggers who use it.  Love your content, but hesitate to show up when I'm in a time crunch.

Mike in Tucson

1:42pm • #14
Missy, okay I read your blog. Zak sounds like an awesome kid. You have motivated me to post a story I wrote before Christmas. Wish me luck.
Blogger To Be Named Later
6:47pm • #15
Missy:  What a wonderful story of a truly amazing Zak and a fabulous cause.  He is an exceptional kid with a spectacular vision and spirit.   I hope this event will raise awareness of a spreading disorder.  My grandson who lives in California was diagnosed with this when he was 4-5 years old.  I pray that a cure will be found soon.
10:13pm • #16
FEB
23
2008
141,418 Points Outside Blog
Missy, pretty awesome. My son's friend is one of the top Halo players on the circuit, and he's a Michigander. Watched him grow up playing pac-man when they were 6 or 7 years old, now he travels the US playing tournaments and making a great living at it.
11:05pm • #17
FEB
24
2008
567,120 Points 95 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Duane, that is very cool. Is he going to be in Michigan. I doubt it if he is professional. I didn't even know they had professionals in Halo. Man, talk about a way to do what you love and make money, this is a perfect example.

Mike, I'm sorry, I have taken off so much and what  I thought were the culprits, blogoshphere and the cluster map and many chicklets. 

Jan, even a difinative answer on what is causing the increase would be nice, then it would stop growing.

Rob, so agreed.

Vance, is he playing at EMU? 

Andrew, thanks for sharing your personal story.  

7:38am • #18
141,418 Points Outside Blog
Missy, Dave still lives in Grand Rapids area. And runs a business here as well. I watched his tournament on TV before and it get pretty intense. My son as been to some of them, he said it's even better in person. The pay is real good (cars, etc) but the big bucks are in sponsorships.
7:55am • #19
141,418 Points Outside Blog
Missy, Google:      walshy halo
7:57am • #20
567,120 Points 95 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Dave, I did, he even makes Wikipedia!  I may go out to the event and get photo's. I offered to pay for my son as it is a good cause and he plays all the time here and online.
8:04am • #21
141,418 Points Outside Blog
Missy, I use to watch Dave and my son sit in-front of the TV playing video games all day long. I would tell them to go outside and enjoy the sunny days. Now Dave makes a good living at it. Your son will enjoy it, plus it's for a good cause. Did your son know of Walshy?
9:15am • #22
141,418 Points Outside Blog
Missy, here's a little more about Dave:  http://www.redbullusa.com/walshy#page=ArticlePage.1162579682704-1103747174.0  He's like the Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan of Halo right from our home state. Red Bull is one of his sponsors, this is on the Red Bull site.
10:41am • #23

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Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate

Ann Arbor, MI

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Keller Williams-Ann Arbor

Address: Ann Arbor, Saline, Dexter, Chelsea, Milan, Whitmore Lake, Ypsilanti, Manchester, Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104

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