Gaming community unites for epic 24-hour fundraising marathon

West Kelowna's Orchard City Games became the bustling hub for an exhilarating 24-hour gaming fundraiser marathon, coinciding with International Tabletop Day. It was all to raise money for the BC Children’s Hospital.

The event, which commenced at noon on Saturday, showcased the unwavering enthusiasm of gamers who immersed themselves in a marathon session of tabletop gaming.

The success of the event was amplified by the generosity of several local game shops who selflessly donated a diverse range of tabletop games.

While some dedicated players demonstrated extraordinary commitment by persevering through the entire 24-hour duration, others joined in at different times, maintaining a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere throughout the event.

The spirit of camaraderie and shared passion for tabletop gaming reverberated in the air, fostering a strong sense of community among participants.

"We really care about the whole community, and it's really meaningful for us to be a part of anything that the community is doing,” Orchard City Games owner, Kenneth Justin told Kelowna10. "We had a lot of people in for 12 to 14 hours, and then people would come and go throughout as well. Either participating, donating, or generally having a good time, which is kind of what the gaming community tends to do out here."

While there were all different types of games being played, the most popular two were Magic: The Gathering, and Dungeons & Dragons.

Justin added there’s been growth in the entire gaming community in Kelowna and the province.

“Over the last two years we've gone from running like small, 16 person events inside our insider store here to the point where this year we're going to have like 8,000 square feet at the convention in Penticton in October,” he said. “So, there’s been lots of growth and we're seeing it all across everywhere and B.C., honestly.”

Kyle Cardno, from OK Tabletop, dedicated over 24 hours of his personal time to the cause, and exemplified the marathon's immersive nature by remaining awake the entire time.

"I didn't know what to expect. We put out some flyers, utilized social media, Reddit, and Discord... and we're just like, 'Hey, this thing's going on. Hope you can make it.'" Cardno explained. "At its peak, we were pushing 60 people in the room at the time, which just blew my mind. I mean, everybody was playing games."

Although there wasn't a specific fundraising target, the entire event aimed to raise funds for a noble cause. The unwavering dedication of participants, coupled with the overwhelming support of the gaming community, would undoubtedly make a significant impact.