Maine Tekes Host Video Game Livestream for St. Jude, Raise $4,000
The Beta-Upsilon chapter at the University of Maine held arguably one of the most creative (and successful!) fundraising events for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this past weekend, all from the comfort of their couches at their university’s Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center.
Playing for more than bragging rights, the chapter hosted its third annual 24-Hour Charity Livestream, raising an impressive $4,030 for St. Jude!
In the chapter’s first year hosting the event in 2014, the Beta-Upsilon Tekes raised $800. The following year, they raised the bar and brought in $2,200.
“We wanted to host this event for a while,” said event organizer Frater Derek Caron. “After some talking, we decided that since our chapter has a lot of brothers who enjoy playing video games, what better way was there to raise money than a 24-hour live stream?”
Frater Caron explains the chapter utilized St. Jude’s PLAY LIVE service by forming a team and directing viewers to the chapter page at twitch.tv/tkecharity. Members of the chapter shared the link on various social media platforms, encouraging donations be made ahead of the event.
The PLAY LIVE webpage describes the platform as “a charity video game event that raises money and awareness for the kids of St. Jude.” Organizing participants have the ability to play solo or as a team, online or off. “PLAY LIVE helps raise funds to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude, where no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food.”
Frater Caron explains his passion for developing the event originated during recruitment at the Beta-Upsilon chapter when he learned that Frater Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is a brother of the Fraternity.
At the Donald R. Tapia Triangle Summit in Indianapolis this past February, Grand Prytanis Rod Talbot announced the Fraternity’s $2.6 million, six-year commitment to St. Jude.
Since then, chapters and colonies have doubled-down on their fundraising efforts for St. Jude, which includes Monmouth’s “Dancing with the Tekes” and Saint Francis’ “Polar Bear Swim.”
“Our advice to chapters trying to fundraise for St. Jude's is to think outside the box,” said Frater Caron. “Think of what brings your chapter together and then just work from there. Try to get beyond campus to get participation from the community as well.”
The Beta-Upsilon chapter plans on holding the event again next year. Tekes interested in helping or learning more about the event can email mainetke@gmail.com.
“We couldn’t have done it without the help of the entire Beta-Upsilon chapter,” said Frater Caron. “I would like to give a shout out to Fraters Matt Munster, James Stiensiek, Donovan Shroeder, Elleson Butler and Tyler Jang. Without their time, money, and effort there is no way we could have made this event happen.”
The Offices of the Grand Chapter congratulations the Beta-Upsilon chapter for thinking outside the box and supporting Frater Danny Thomas’ legacy and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.