More than 1,500 gamers from all over the world participated in person and online in a momentous weekend fundraising event held at the EMU Convocation Center in April. Their purpose: raise money to provide entertainment devices for kids at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, and other hospitalized children across the United States.
The event was hosted by Gamers for Giving, a charity organization that has helped more than 450,000 children cope with being in the hospital. This year’s event, their 10th anniversary, raised a record-setting $783,987.
One of those gamers on a mission was HITS staffer Ryan Henyard.
“I’m really grateful for how volunteering has given me the chance to provide sick kids some joy, relief, and distraction from pain.” – Ryan Henyard
Henyard is a busy man. When he isn’t helping U-M Medical School faculty and staff with curricular technologies, serving as the co-implementation lead for the HITS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, or pursuing a graduate degree in education, he volunteers at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital with their program called Gamers Outreach. He repairs and maintains gaming equipment that Gamers for Giving has donated. But his favorite thing is to play with the kids.
“I’m really grateful for how volunteering has given me the chance to provide sick kids in our children’s hospital some joy, relief, and distraction from pain,” said Henyard, who has been with the organization in various roles for the past four years.
“It is really rewarding to play a part in helping patients cope with their health issues. In addition to being able to serve patients and their families, volunteering also gives me the chance to witness our medical students and faculty in action.”
