Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Computer Science program will sponsor a 24-hour livestream to raise funds for Child’s Play Charity from 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, until 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 3.
Members of the program will gather in the Bill and Billie Buckles Computer Science and Robotics Labs in Shockley Hall to play a mix of video games as well as a few group activities while live broadcasting the whole event on Twitch. A few teachers from various departments are expected to stop by as well.
As the students work in teams and as solo players, their goal is to help generate content to be watched during the livestream as viewers give donations. Currently, a group of students plans to play on level 1-110 in World of Warcraft with another group planning to play League of Legends for the duration of the livestream.
The public is encouraged to participate in the event by watching and sharing the students’ livestream and/or through giving donations to the Child’s Play Charity.
To watch the livestream tune in to https://www.twitch.tv/nwosu_esports where a link to donate can be found, too.
Child’s Play Charity seeks to improve the lives of children in more than 100 hospitals worldwide and domestic violence shelters through the generosity and kindness of the video game industry and the power of play.
Child’s Play works in two ways: first, with the help of hospital staff, the organization sets up gift wish lists full of video games, toys, books, and other fun stuff for kids, and second, Child’s Play also receives cash donations throughout the year. With those cash donations, they purchase new consoles, peripherals, games, and more for hospitals and therapy facilities. These donations allow for children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends, and family, and can provide vital distraction from an otherwise generally unpleasant experience. The organization has raised nearly $44 million since 2003.
From the past two livestream charity events, Evan Vaverka, instructor of computer science, estimates the students have raised approximately $1,250 between two separate charities.
For more information about Northwestern’s Computer Science program, contact Vaverka at (580) 327-8587 or epvaverka@nwosu.edu.