Gamertell

Just got a message from my friend Zach Wigal of Gamers Outreach Foundation about an upcoming video game convention, Gamers 4 Giving, a charity event to be held at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center located on 900 Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti, Michigan (USA), starting 2 p.m. on February 27, 2009, and ending March 1, 2009. This year’s Gamers 4 Giving event will focus on raising funds for GOF 2009 community initiatives.

Events include a “300 MAN LAN” party PC tournament, Super Smash Brothers Brawl and 2vs2 Halo 3 Tournament.

Gamers Outreach Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to using video games to inspire and improve the lives of others by getting them involved in the community through promoting awareness, generate needed funds and rally volunteers.

It was only two years ago that Wigal had to struggle with his high school superintendent to hold a Halo tournament in the local community center. Since that day in December 2006, Wigal’s Gamer’s Outreach Foundation has grown by leaps and bounds. Holding several charity events to support awareness and research for community programs resulted in himself and GOF being recognized by Microsoft last year.

I asked Wigal if there was anything else he’d like to mention for this article and of course besides a shout out to all Gamertell readers, he was excited to announce that there will be a few big names supporting the tournament.

“Red Bull is our headlining supporter, Bungie Studios is rewarding Recon Armor to the winning Halo 3 team, and our event is even featured on the XBox community calendar,” he said.

For those who can’t participate in the tournament there’s still away to help the foundation via donations on the GOF website.

Admission price is as follows:

• General admission is free to those attending to support their fellow gamers.
• Super Smash Brothers Brawl Tournament is free but registration is required.
• “300 MAN LAN Party” is $25 per person but registration is required and participants are asked to visit the Gamer’s Outreach LAN Party requirement page for a detailed checklist and rules for any of the following games you wish to participate in: Left 4 Dead 4v4, Counter-Strike Source 5v5, Trackmania Nations Forever, Call of Duty 4 5v5 or Counter-Strike 1.6. Players must bring their own computers or consoles.
• 2v2 Halo 3 Tournament - $50 per team, Major League Gamers are not allowed to participate in the tournament, though they are welcome to participate in other activities. The first team to finish the slayer tournament will be awarded $1,000.00 and the second place team will be awarded $500.00. The tournament is a full double elimination tournament. Your team must lose twice to be eliminated. Due to a limited supply, players are asked to bring their own wired controllers. No modded controllers or off-brand controllers allowed.

Register [Gamers 4 Giving] Site [Eastern Michigan University Student Center]