MCC’s Student Club Raises Money for Boston Children’s Hospital

Middlesex Community College’s student lounge became a gamer’s haven this past weekend, but it was all for a good cause – the college’s student-run club, Gamers Guild, raised $2,168 for Boston Children’s Hospital.

The 24-hour gaming marathon was run by the organization Extra Life. From noon on Saturday, Nov. 2, to noon on Sunday, Nov. 3, members of the club set up web cameras on campus to play Dungeons & Dragons in four, four hour increments. Other members hung out in the staging area between sessions playing video games like Super Smash Brothers Ultimate.

According to Steve Rossi, MCC’s Director of Student Engagement, the students came up with the idea as an effort to help the community. Rossi believes the fundraiser – and clubs as a whole – are an important part of the Middlesex experience.

“Clubs and organizations allow students the opportunity to pursue or find their passion, explore a new topic, expand their viewpoint and allow Middlesex Community College to educate students in a more holistic way,” Rossi said.

Students engage in social activities with peers, feel more involved in the campus community, build support systems and hone skills that develop leadership and confidence. It’s also fun.

Rossi said, “Students who use their talents and skills to help the MCC community allow the community to grow and be changed by its members.”

Club president, Austin Hamilton, approached his club-mates about the idea after participating in a past event and everyone was enthusiastic.

Hamilton said, “The event that I attended stood out mostly because it was a way of making gaming, a hobby I’ve been interested in for as long as I remember, into a force of change in children’s lives everywhere.”

Community service has long been a part of the mission of clubs and organizations on campus. The 19 participating members were quick to raise their original goal of $1,000, as well as a subsequent goal of $1,500. Overall, 69 individual donors helped guide the team to a 481 ranking.

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